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HISTORY OF ACWORTH, 



|^I|e :[|roc^Hling^ of {\n ^jtwkmml %\\mmnri, 



GENEALOGICAL RECORDS, 



REGISTER OF FARMS. 



EDITED BT 

Rev. J. L. MERRILL, 

So&jii ^istoriatt. 



ACWORTH : 

PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN. 

1S69. 



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PREFACE. 



It is believed that the pledge given the subscribers to the " History of 
Acworth " has been redeemed. As full a report as possible has been made 
of the doings and sayings of the Centennial Anniversary, only two speeches 
being omitted. These were not reported to the compiler. The early history 
of the town has been made as full as the materials at hand would allow. 
Great pains have been taken to make the list of the owners of homesteads 
and the genealogical records accurate. Where families have taken the trouble 
to send in their family records, they will probably find but few mistakes. 
Sketches of professional men, natives of the town, are given so far as known. 
In many cases materials have not been at hand to make as full sketches as 
desirable, and in other cases the scissors have been freely used, both in gene- 
alogical records and sketches, that a disproportionate space might not be 
occupied. Comparatively few, and very brief sketches of the early inhabi- 
tants have been prepared, partly for want of materials, but more especially 
because, while the general standard of energy and thrift has always been 
high, there never has been an aristocracy of wealth or of worth — or rather 
the aristocracy of worth have been so numerous, and there has been such a 
sameness in their characteristics, induced by similarity of training, that it is 
impossible to select a few, without being unjust to the many necessarily passed 
over in silence. 

It has been found necessary to adopt as a rule, that no sketches of the 
present inhabitants of the town should be written, for the same reason. 

The book has been open for all to contribute portraits, who desired. But 
few likenesses of the early settlers could be procured, which fact we deeply 
regret. 



IV PEEFACE. 

Funeral sermons, obituary notices, college catalogues, oral and written 
Btateoients of friends, and all other accessible sources of information have 
been consulted to perfect the sketches and other parts of the History, and 
we take this opportunity to thank the many friends of Acworth who have 
assisted in this work. The book has really had a large number of authors, 
so large that it is useless to give even a list of those whose very words have 
been used to convey the information they communicated, much less to give 
authority for every fact stated. J. H. Dickey, Esq., has contributed the list 
of owners of homesteads, a large part of the military history, many genea- 
logical records, the sketches of the soldiers, besides many incidents in the 
other parts of the History. Rev. Daniel Lancaster has communicated many 
facts, Mrs. Sally Wilson of Ohio has contributed largely to the history of 
the first quarter of the present century, her very words being used in many 
instati'ses. Mrs. Harvey Howard furnished the history of the Methodist 
Epissopal Church, and Rev. J. L. Whittemore the sketch of the Baptist 
Chuixjh. 

The principal books of reference have been " Parker's History of London- 
derry," " Belknap's History of New Hampshire," " Sketches of New Hamp- 
shire Churches," "Dr. Chapman's Alumni of Dartmouth College," "Jack- 
son's <xenealogical Report of New Hampshire," etc. 

J. L. M. 
AcwoETH, April, 1869, 



CONTENTS. 



PART I. 



PAOE. 



Centennial Anniversary, 9 — 117 

Officers and Committees — Centennial Morning — Gathering at the 
Chui'ch — Letter from Col. I. H. Silsby — Song of Welcome — Address 
of Welcome — Centennial Address — Poem — Adjom-ned to the tent — 
Song, "A Hundred Years Ago" — Remarks by Rev. Daniel Lancas- 
ter — Rev. Dr. Orcutt — Dr. William Grout — J. M. Barnard, Esq. — 
Rev, Amos Foster — Ode — Remarks by Dr. A. R. Cummings — Rev. 
George Cooke — Song, " Our Acworth Home " — Remarks by Prof. 
Hiram Orcutt — George R. Brown, Esq. — Col. Thomas Clark — Part- 
ing Invocation — Response of Dr. E. G. Cummings — Rev. Hiram 
Houston — J. Davis, Esq. — George B. Brooks, Esq. — L. V. N. Peck, 
Esq. — David Campbell, Esq. — Jonathan Robinson, Esq. — Letters 
from President A. D. Smith, Hon. George W. Nesmith, Dr. E. S. 
Wright, Maj.-Gen. Cram, Hon. Nedom L. Angier, President N. J. 
Morrison, Rev. George Cooke, John Wilson, and Miss Lurinda 
Cummings. 

PART II. 
HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

Chapter I. Civil History, 118 — 142 

Geographical and Geological Description of the Town — Charter — 
Settlement — Character of Settlers — A Secession IMovement — The 
Village in 1800 — Emigration — Spotted Fever — The Common — 
Cemeteries — Schools — Temperance — Ladies' Charitable Society — 
Merchants-Mills — Present Condition of the Town — List of Town 
OfBcers. 

Chapter H. Ecclesiastical History, US — 1G3 

Congregational Church — First Meeting-House — Organization of the 
Church — Rev. Mr. Arcliibald — Rev. Mr. Kimball — Rev. Mr. Cooke — 
Rev. Messrs. Grosvenor, Merrill, Wright, Foster and Merrill — Sketch 
of the Baptist Chm-ch— Sketch of the Methodist Church. 



VI CONTENTS. 

PAOB. 

Chapter III. Military History, 164 — 177 

Militia — RcYolutionary War — War of 1812 — War of the Eebellion — 
Sketches of Soldiers Dying in the Service. 

PART III. 

Genealogy of Families and Sketches of Individuals, . 178 — 289 

APPENDIX. 

Register of Homesteads, ....... 289 — 306 

List of Homesteads in Town and Names of the Individuals who 
liave Owned them. 



INDEX TO PLATES. 



Rev. Phinehas Cooke, 

Col. 1. H. Silsbv, 

Rev. Giles Bailey, 

Milan Davidson, 

Rev. Amos Foster and Wife 

Rev. Dr. John Orcutt, 

J. ]M. Barnard, Esq., . 

Dr. a. R. Cummings, 

Prof. Hiram Orcutt, 

Dr. E. G. Cumaiings, 

Rev. Hiram Houston, 

Dr. Lyman Brooks, 

Rev. Dr. Wright, 

Damel Grout, Esq., and Wife 

Mrs. Sally Wilson, 

Granville Gilmore, . 

S. A. Reed, 

Daniel J. Warner, Esq., 

Rev. Joseph Merrill, 

Rev. J. L. Merrill, 

David Blanchard, Esq., 

Theron Duncan, 

Nathaniel Warner, 

Hon. Nedom L. Angier, 

Mrs. Barnard, 

Lkwis Campbell, Esq., 

Morris Clark, Esq., . 

James G. Dickey, Esq., 



PAOH. 

Frontispiece. 



Vlll . INDEX TO TLATES. 

rAGE. 

Thekon Dickey, 210 

Samuel Finlay, 216 

Hon. AlexaivDer II. Gilmore, 219 

Nathaniel Grout, 224 

Col. Ebenezer Grout, . . . 225 

Dr. John H. Hemphill, 228 

Samuel King, 235 

Rev. Daniel Lancaster, 236 

Lemuel Lincoln, 238 

John G. Mayo, 242 

Dea. William McClure, 243 

Perley Mitchell, 246 

David Montgomery, Esq., . 248 

Thomas Murdough, 249 

William Nourse, . '. . 251 

Dr. Milton Parker, 255 

Miss Julia A. Parker,- 256 

William Prentiss, 258 

Stephen R. Rogers, 262 

Capt. E. H. Savage, 263 

Ithiel Silsby, Esq., 265 

Dea. Zenas Slader, 266 

Thomas Slader, 267 

Orville L. Slader, , 268 

Capt. James Wallace, 277 

George M. Warner, 278 

William Warner, Esq., . 280 

Capt. Edward Woodbury, 287 



PART I. 



Centennial Anniversary. 



PEELIMINARr PROCEEDINGS. 



The citizens of Acworth met at the town-house, November 
25, 1867 ; voted to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the 
settlement of the town on the 16th day of September next; chose 
J. H. Dickey, Adna Keyes and Hugh Finlay, a committee to 
select the officers of the day, appoint other necessary committees 
and make such arrangements as they deemed suitable. The fol- 
lowing officers were selected, and committees appointed by the 
committee of arrangements : 

President— Col. I. H. Silgby, Boston, Mass. 

Vice Presidents— Ithiel Silsby, Samuel H. Moore, Amos Keyes, Amos 
Clark, Dan Orcutt, Calvin Clark, Ovid Hemphill, Royal Parks, David 
Campbell, James G. Dickey, Horace Duncan, Edward A. Slader, L. Gil- 
more, Lewis Campbell, Sewell Ingalls, Dr. William Grout, Alexander H. 
Gilmore, Samuel McLure, H. Rodgers, Norman Wilson, Perly Mitchell, 
William Graves, Daniel Nourse, Asaph Silsby, Roswell Carleton, Elisha Mayo^ 
John Gregg, Nathan George, Henry Lancaster, Joseph Finlay. 

Marshal— Col. Thomas Clark, Cambridge, Mass. 

Assistant Marshals— Qo\. J. S. Gove, Col. G. M. Warner, Col. J. F 
Wallace, Capt. E. H. Savage, Capt. W. C. Woodbury, Capt. N. G. Davis^ 
Capt. J. M. Barnard, Capt. S. A. King,'H. Blanchard, Esq., William Nourse' 
B. F. Warner, L. J. Brooks, J. F. Dickey, Samuel Finlay, 2d., Amos Keyes^ 
Austin Tracy, Jesse F. Slader, Charles Robiason, Hiram Studley, 0. L. 
Slader, E. G. Cummings, A. R. Cummings. 

Toast Master — S. L. Bowers,' Newport, N. H. 

Committee to collect historical facts and incidents relating to the settle- 
ment of the town and the genealogy of families of first settlers: District 



10 THE CENTENNIAL. 

No. 1 — Rev. J. L. Merrill, G. Gilmore, D. J. Warner, George Bailey. 
District No. 2 — James Wallace, Thomas Ball, D. Blanchard. District 
No. 3 — Jesse Slader, Joseph Hay ward. District No. 4 — John Grout, Dan- 
iel Clark. District No. 5 — Samuel McLure, Robert McLure, E. Cram. 
• District No. G — J. Tracy, S. P. Barnard, C. J. Davis. District No. 7 — 
T. M. Dickey, Dexter Copeland, P. W, Pettingill. District No. 8— F. 
Hemphill, E. Grout, J. Gleason. District No. 9 — Rev". J. L. Whittemore, 
Adna Keyes, Rodney Buss. District No. 10 — George R. Brown, E. M. 
Kempton, S. Beckwith. District No. 11 and 13 — George Houston, Rev. 
J. H. Lord, Rev. A. K. Howard, H, Howard. District No. 12 — David 
Whitney, J. H. Dickey. 

Committee to furnish historical sketches of the several churches, resident 
ministers and Sabbath schools — Rev. J. L. Merrill, Rev. J. L. Whittemore, 
Rev. J. H. Lord, Rev. A. K. Howard. 

Committee of invitation — Jesse Slader, Nathaniel Warner, Granville Gil- 
more. 

Committee of finance — Zenas Slader, Charles B. Cummings, J. F. Mur- 
dough. 

Committee of publication — Rev. J. L. Merrill, Rev. J. H. Lord, Rev. J. 
L. Whittemore. 

Committee of roll of honor, to report lists of revolutionary soldiers, of the 
war of 1812, and the late war — Ebenezer Grout, C. M. Woodbury, C. E. 
Spencer, J. F. Page. 

Committee to prepare a list of town oflScers — D. J. Warner, C. M. Wood- 
bury, S. McKeen, Jr., J. G. Silsby, C. B. Cummings. 
^•^Committee to prepare a list and short sketches of those who have obtained 
a collegiate education, and those who have entered the ministry and profes- 
sions of law and medicine, including resident physicians — Jesse Slader, Dr. 
N. G. Brooks, Dr. S. T. Smith, H. N. Hayward. 
^Committee to sketch notices of merchants, manufacturers, mechanics and 
mills — C. M. Woodbury, E. Cummings, William Hayward, Nathan Adams, 
J. M. Reed. 

Committee to furnish band music — Maj. E. Cummings, J. B. Richardson. 

Committee to furnish vocal music — S. H. Bascomb, William L. Woodbury 
William Atwood. 

Committee to prepare sentiments and appoint persons to respond thereto — 
George Bailey, J. A. Wood, Rev. A. K. Howard, G. Gilmore, C. J. Davis. 

Committee to furnish gun and powder, and manage the same — R. Hilliard, 
Samuel McKeen, Jr., L. Buswell, Henry T. Buss. 

Committee to furnish lumber and erect seats and tables — Barnet C. Finlay, 
Sylvester A. Reed, Alvin Davidson, Levi Prentiss, S. Harding, Francis Buss, 
Asa Dodge, G. W. Lathrop, D. G. Osgood, Benjamin Nichols, G. Gilmore, 
W: W. Johnson, L Campbell, C. K. Brooks, C. A. Snow, S. Finlay, Curtis 
Warner, A. W. Barney, J. S. Symonds, P. Monroe, D. A. Ryder, R. 



OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES. 11 

Walker, Warren Thayer, Levi Davis, 0. B. Burnham, B. P. Wood, Theron 
Hull, A. W. Sparling, Amasa Lincoln, Koswell George, L. Morse, R. G. 
Bascomb, Joel Porter, B. S. King, I. Newton, 0. R. Kemp, H. Heard, Jr., 
A. M. Bragg, G. M. Gowen, J. B. Buck, D. Peaslcy. 

Committee to solicit and receive contributions for, arrange, decorate, and 
wait upon tables. The chairmen of the District Committees to constitute a 
supervisory committee : District No. 1 — John Blanchard and lady, M. M. 
Warner and lady, George Bailey and lady, D. C. Anderson and lady, E. S. 
Chatterton and lady, Mrs. L. Harding, Miss Josephine Brooks, Miss Mary 
Chatterton, Miss Susan Dodge, Miss Lucia Perham, Miss Emma Howe, Miss 
Ellen Moore, Miss Lizzie Gould, Miss H. F. Warner, Miss Esther Finlay, 
Miss Ella Wood, Miss Eliza Prentiss, Miss Philetta M. Slader, Miss Nettie 
Neal, Miss Georgianna Hayward, W. C. Neal and lady, J. P. Cram and 
lady, M. M. Woodbury and lady, Harvey Lincoln and lady, C. A. Hull and 
lady, John M. Smith and lady, H. Murdough and lady, M. P. Thornton and 
lady, W. F. Hilliard, Henry Cram, E. A. Warner, William Brooks, L. 
Tracy, A. M. Dodge, S. A. Hayward, A. 0. Hayward, H. D. C. Tracy, E. 
Carey. District No. 2 — S. Blanchard and lady, S. S. King and lady, G. 
H. Heard and lady, A. A. Mathewson and lady, A. H. Church and lady, 
J. H. Clark and lady, H. B. Reed and lady, J. Osgood and lady, J. Brackett 
and lady, F. E. Brackett and lady, William Whipple, T. B. Hayward, J. 
Warner. District No. 3 — S. S. Finlay- and lady, L. Grout and lady, S. 0. 
Taylor and lady, F. S. Trow and lady, Miss Jennie Finlay, Miss Emma 
Grout, A. S. Finlay, N. G. Slader, Samuel Slader, J. Finlay. District No. 
4 — Daniel Clark and lady, D. Eaton and lady, D. C. Walker and lady, M. 
D. Gould and lady, I. J. Page and lady, Misses Johnson, Misses Stevens, 
G. W. Stevens, G. P. Johnson, W. Copeland, Miss Sarah Whipple. Dis- 
trict No. 5 — Daniel Gay and lady, W. B. Reed and lady, J. W. Howe and 
lady, M. V. B. Peck and lady, J. Vinton and lady, R. L. Howe and lady, 
A. Buswell and lady, D. W. Thompson and lady, H. D. Wallace and lady, 
Miss E. Lathrop. District No. 6 — C. J. Davis and lady, J. N. Davis and 
lady, G. AV". Neal and lady, H. F, Burnham and lady, J. B. Tracy and lady, 
G. F. Youngman and lady, Misses Barnard, Miss Sarah Davis, L. H. Davis, 
J. Buswell, 0. Symonds. District No. 7 — D. Nye and lady, J. M. Davis 
and lady, C. A. Lawton and lady, 0. Chapin and lady, T. B. Bachelder and 
lady, H. Buswell and lady, W. M. Pettingill and lady, M. 0. Kennedy, J. 
T. Mitchell, D. J. Thayer, Miss Anna Thayer, Miss Mary Bachelder, Misses 
Richardson, Miss B. J. Pearson, Miss Nellie Kennedy. District No. 8 — 
George W. Young and lady, G. F. Nichols and lady, J. B. Clough and lady, 
G. W. Hilliard and lady, J. L. McKeen and lady, M. Gassett and lady, J. 
Crossett and lady, Mrs. L. SanBorn, Miss Abbie Ware, J. Perham, H. G. 
Perham. District No. 9 — J. W. Moore and lady, F. Buss and lady, F. P. 
Fletcher and lady, W. Dana and lady, J. H. Dyer and lady. Miss Mariam 
Symonds, Misses Mitchell, A. M. Mitchell, M. A. Boynton, M. P. Howe, 



12 THE CENTENNIAL. 

J. Symonds. District No. 10— J. H. Brown, D. C. George and lady, W. 
B. Tinker and lady, C. Richardson and lady, F. Ellenwood and lady, Miss 
Jennie Greeley, Miss Amanda Kempton, G. Smith, C. Metcalf. District 
No. II — J. A. "Wood and lady, J. F. Richardson and lady, S. Symonds 
and lady, T. B. Richardson and lady, L. Randall and lady, J. McKeen and 
lady, G. B. Fields and lady, C. Dingraan and lady, C. E. Hardy and lady, 
H. N. Hayward and lady, C. D. Peck and lady, A. Graham and lady, S. E. 
Mann and lady, W. Gassett and lady, Miss Olive Wood, Miss Minerva Ad- 
ams, Miss E. Barney, Miss Maria Mann, Miss Ella Monroe, Miss Clara 
Howard, Miss Ellen Houston, Miss Mary Houston, Mrs. C. D. Whitman, 
G. Reed, U. Peck, S. Howard, C. E. Spencer and lady, H. L. Silsby and 
lady. Miss Ella Reed, E. G. Campbell. Districts No. 12 and 13— J. A. 
Dickey and lady, George P. Dickey and lady, L. R. Hardy and lady, D. 
Peasley and lady, E. Green and lady, M. Moulton and lady, S. W. King, 
G. H. Howard, G. F. Watts, Miss Watts, Miss Buck, Miss Julia Osgood, 
Misses Heard, Miss Gowen, 

Committee to provide for guests — William Hayward, C. K. Brooks, A. 
Lincoln, A. W. Sparling, E. Cummings. 

Most of those appointed on the committees . cheerfully per- 
formed the work assigned them, so that the old adage, "Many 
hands make light v^^ork," was verified. Upon the chairmen of 
the leading committees, however, came the principal part of the 
care. This was especially true''of the chairman of the Committee 
of Arrangements, who was indefatigable in his efforts to make the 
celebration a success. 

The Committee of Invitation sent letters of invitation to all the 
former citizens of Acworth, whose address they could ascertain. 
These were very generally accepted in person, especially by the 
aged, many verging upon threescore years and ten, and several 
past that age, returned once more to visit their native town. Mrs. 
Sally Wilson, aged 82 years, though unable to walk without 
crutches, came from Ohio, and Mrs. Hammond, aged 89 years, 
a daughter of the first school-teacher in Acworth, Mr. Samuel 
Smith, was present from Fairlee, Vt. Probably every Northern 
State was represented and many of the Southern States. 

The extra stages arrived, for days preceding the Anniversary, 
filled with passengers. So many people never lodged in Acworth 
at one time as during the nights preoeding and following the Cen- 
tennial, and yet thousands poured in from every quarter upon the 
morning of that day, and returned to their homes in the evening. 
To the disappointment of all, the morning was dark and threaten- 



' CENTENNIAL DAY. 13 

ino-, and before the exercises at the church commenced, the rain 
began to fall, and hundreds went away from the crowded church, 
not knowing where to find shelter, though the citizens of the village 
threw open their houses to all. The scene is best described in the 
following lines extracted from a poem suggested by the occasion : 

" Acworth ! it is thy gala day, 
And banners now are floating gay, 
And though the raindrops from the trees, 
Are shaken by the soughing breeze, 
And mist-clouds on the hills around, 
Are swaying downwards to the ground, 
And all think in a short time more 
The threatening heavens will surely pour. 
Yet rolling drum, and bugle note. 
Are on the breezes heard to float, 
And thousands in thy streets are met, 
And thousands more are coming yet. 
For creaking wains, and rattling stages, 
Freighted with bipeds of all ages, 
Fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, 
Are rushing hither from all quarters, 
And you have but to ope your eyes 
To see of every grade and size; 
Here loud the puling infant screeches. 
There struts a chap just out in breeches; 
The short, the tall, the thin, the stout, 
The fat, the lean, for all are out. 
Some sitting down, some walking slow, 
Some looking, seeming not to know 
Exactly where 'tis best to go 
To get the focus of the show. 
And thus some hasten up the hill 
The crowded church more full to fill. 
While leisurely the steps are bent 
Of others, towards the mammoth tent. 
And all are sure a crowd to meet 
"Whichever way they turn their feet. 
For not in mansion or in cot, 
Or yard, or lane, or street, or lot, 
Can any one discern a spot 
Where Mr. Somebody is not, 
And all is blithe apparently 
As if no cloud obscured the sky. 



14 THE CENTENNIAL. 

But wbat came all this crowd to see? 

The products of a century? 

Why, no, friend, but each hungry sinner 

Has come up here to get the dinner, 

Which generous Ac worth tenders free 

To all this goodly company. 

For yonder mammoth tent now holds 

Beneath its overarching folds, 

As good a dinner as a man 

Can find this side of Hindoostan, 

And every guest desires in heart 

Shortly to bolt a bounteous part, 

And verily there is enough, 

This mighty multitude to stuff, 

For turkeys, chickens, puddings, pies, 

In long succession greet the eyes ; 

And cake of every kind, and fruit, 

The daintiest appetite to suit; 

For know, for all that's good and sweet 

The cooks of Acworth can't be beat. 

So every guest may take his fill 

Of every dainty that he will. 

And some there'll be who'll doubtless say. 

As they go on their homeward way, 

I never yet in all my life, 

Ate dinner, cooked by maid or wife 

So good as that I've ate to-day. 

Old Acworth ! Oh how many hearts 

Are thrilled with rapture to the core, 
At the sweet joy thy name' imparts, 

As now they look on thee once more. 
Who from their far abodes have come 

To breathe once more thy blessed air. 
And see again their dear old home, 

And think of all who once were there. 
Whose tears drop fast as they recall 

The memories of their early days ; 
Their father, mother, friends, and all 

The blessmgs strewn along their ways. 
And well it is that they should throng 

To view their native hills once more. 
These glorious hiUs from which were drawn 

The principles that made them men, 




I \ if-^ ' ^^-^ ^ 




EXEECISES AT THE CHURCH— LETTEE OF COL. SILSBY. 15 

Where first the inspiration came 

From father's prayer and mother's song, 

That led their souls to love the right 
That led them to despise the wrong. 

And where the love of country first 

Was in each youthful heart so nursed, 

That as they saw her banner fly 

They grudged not for her weal to die, 

But in a hundred l)loody fights 

Stood up, and battled for her rights." 

The exercises of Centennial Day commenced at 10 A. M. The 
following letter had been received from Col. I. H. Silsby of Boston, 
Mass., who had been appointed to preside: 

Newtok Corner, Mass., September 14, 1868, 
Gentlemen of the Executive Committee, — When you kindly tendered me 
the honorable position of presiding officer at your Centennial, I at first de- 
clined ; not because I did not feel a deep interest in my native town ; not 
because my heart was not in this celebration, but simply because I thought 
you had others better qualified by nature and experience to discharge the 
duties of that office, and it was only at the most earnest solicitation of my 
dear lamented father, that I consented to serve you. ' From the first intima- 
tion he had from you of your intentions, his whole heart was in the project — 
and he ever gave the various committees with whom he was in correspond- 
ence, all the information he could, most cheerfully. And as the day drew 
near, his thoughts were more centered upon it ; morning, noon and nio-ht it 
was his theme. Though our hearts bled at his sudden departure, depriving 
us of a dear and afiectionate father, and thus breaking the circle of eleven 
I had hoped to present at your festival, yet I had. determined, as far as possi- 
ble, to forget my affliction, and serve you to the best of my ability. 

But, alas ! how little do we know what a day may bring forth ! The 
ways of Providence are past finding out. 

It was hard for me to see a fortune just within my grasp, swept from me for- 
ever in the twinkling of an eye, by devouring jire. It was heartrendinfy for 
me to hold in my arms a dying father ; and now imagine my bitter anguish as I 
stand by the bedside night and day, of my poor, sick, dying son. It is this 
double affliction that keeps me from you to-day, and much as I regret this ab- 
absence, and much as you are disappointed, yet I sincerely hope and pray that 
you and your people will bear with me in this affliction, and justify me in my ab- 
sence from the duties you had assigned me; painful as it is to me, and embar- 
rassing as it is to you. It would have been my pride to be with you, and to pre- 
sent my dear father to you, thus delighting him. But an all-ioise Providence 
has ordered it otherwise ! Man proposes, God disposes. Wishing you much 
success, I remain, with much esteem, your obedient servant, I. H. Silsby. 



16 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Eev. Amos Foster being invited, acted as President of the day 
in the absence of Col. Silsby. The opening prayer was made by 
Eev. Davis Brainerd of Lyme, Ct. The following song of greet- 
ing, composed by Miss L. Cummings of Ashburnham, Mass., was 
sung by the choir : 

SONG OF WELCOME. 

Tune — Edin burg. 

We welcome our absent ones home, with a zest, 

From the North and the South, from the East and the West — 

For Acworth a true mother's heart would display, 

As she gathers her children around her to-day. 

" Happy greeting to all — Happy greeting to all — 
Happy greeting — Happy greeting, 
Happy greeting to all." 

To the sweet scenes of childhood, we welcome you back, 
To wander again o'er each turf-beaten track — 
And children adopted, who hither have come, 
Our birthright shall share in the ancestral home ! 
" Happy greeting to all" — &c. 

We welcome you all, to our glorious hills — 
To our beautiful river, and bright dancing rills — 
To our noble old forests — so dense, and so grand. 
The homes of our song-birds — the pride of our land. 
" Happy greeting to all" — &c. 

To our dear sacred altars, we welcome you, too ; 
Our homes and our fire-sides are waiting for you ; 
Our hearts' cherished treasures — our own precious friends 
Are the very best gifts the All-merciful sends ! 
" Happy greeting to all" — &c. 

The aged we welcome, with reverence due, 
And cordial aifection, from hearts that are true; 
Our hands to all others we freely extend, 
And meet every one as a personal friend. 
" Happy greeting to all " — &c. 

Then let us rejoice, this Centennial Day, 
Enjoying the bright hours of life while we may ; 
When Fruit, Buds and Blossoms together we see, 
Unitedly crowning our Century Tree! 

"Happy greeting to all" — &c. 



ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 17 ' 

Lyman J. Brooks, Esq., of Newport, delivered the following 
address of welcome: 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: — It is always pleasant to speak 
words of welcome — to extend hospitalities to our friends, but it is especially 
so at this time, when in the name of all the citizens of Acworth, I bid you a 
sincere and hearty welcome. 

The custom of celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the settle- 
ment of our towns and cities, and the formation of social and literary societies 
and institutions, is a beautiful and appropriate one, and in accordance with 
such a time-honored usage you have been invited to visit us this day, and 
participate in these memorial exercises. 

We have met to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the settlement of 
the town — to do honor to the memory of those, who one hundred years ago, 
left home, and all its comforts, and in a wilderness laid the foundations of 
those new homes, and social institutions, which we of the present day enjoy. 
The presence of so many of the sons and daughters of Acworth with us to- 
day, gives us, I assure you, great satisfaction and pleasure. 

While the occasion furnishes a favorable opportunity to renew old and form 
new acquaintances, which we trust, you will all fully improve, still the great 
end to be achieved in this centennial meeting, is to gather up and preserve 
in some suitable manner the unwritten and legendary history of the fathers 
and the mothers, that the future sons and daughters may better know and 
appreciate the hard labors, severe trials, and sterling worth of their ancestors, 
and to this duty, as well as pleasure, we most cordially welcome you. 

A century has passed since the first settlers visited this town, and what a 
change has taken place ! They saw before them only unbroken forests, and 
innumerable hardships. Their only welcome was the howls of wild beasts. 
While you who have come to day to visit the homes and friends of childhood, 
or the places where you spent the earlier scenes of manhood, are surrounded 
by the fruits of an hundred years of labor and civilization, and on all sides 
the warm hand of friendship extends to you a joyous welcome. The citizens 
have spared no labor or trouble to make this qpcasion one of pleasure, as well 
as profit to you. 

A long order of exercises remind me that the mere formal words of wel- 
come must be brief and quickly spoken. Accept, therefore, friends, each 
and all of you, the kindly greetings and welcome of old Acworth, in the 
same generous spirit in. which she tenders them to you, and when this day's 
work is completed, your pleasant visit ended, and you return to your homes, 
let not the memory of early days be forgotten, nor the old or new friendship 
cease. 



Centennial Address. 



BY EEV. GILES BAILEY, 

OF BELFAST, ME. 



Mr. President^ and Fellow -Citizens : — We meet to-day under 
circumstances of peculiar interest. The year is the first Centen- 
nial Anniversary of our dear old native town. From the East 
and the West, the North and the South, we have come, to join 
with the residents in doing her honor. On the old Common we 
o-rasp warm hands in friendly greeting. In these hospitable homes 
we recount the varied experiences of our lives, and revive the 
memories of long ago. In this sacred place, where most of us 
first heard the public teachings of the gospel, we unite in prayers 
and songs to the common Father, lifting our hearts in glad thanks- 
o-ivino-, that He has permitted us to see this day, and granted this 
meeting of old friends and fellow-townsmen. 

A hundred years have passed since William Keyes, Samuel Har- 
per and others, made their home in the unbroken forests which 
then covered these hills and valleys. What momentous events 
have crowned the century! The thirteen colonies, stretched along 
the Atlantic Coast, and on the eastern slope of the Alleghany 
Eido"e, have swelled to thirty-six "free and independent States," 
leavino- inhabited and uninhabited territory enough to form twice 
as many more. Our country's domain reaches from the Atlantic 
to the Pacific, and, since the acquisition of Alaska, in a nearly 
unbroken chain, from the peninsula of California to the Arctic 
Ocean. Its population has increased from three millions to thirty- 
five millions. From a state of poverty it has come to rival in 
wealth the proudest of the nations of the Old World. During 
the period it has declared, and vindicated by force of arms, its 
independence of the mother country. It has successfully fought 
with the parent nation a second war, for the freedom of commerce 



CENTENNIAL ADDEESS. 19 

and the right to traverse unimpeded the highway of the seas. It 
has waged a two years' conflict with the Mexican Republic, re- 
sulting In the acquisition of the richest mineral lands on the North 
American Continent. And it has just emerged from the most 
gigantic civil war the world ever saw, freed from the evil which 
precipitated the contest, purified of the stain which had made it a 
reproach to the cause of freedom. Its territory intact, its prosperity 
unimpaired, and the power of its government vindicated and 
maintained. 

Who shall rehearse the marvellous changes of these hundred 
years, the progress of the arts, the discoveries in the physical 
sciences, and the wonderful inventions, which have so quickened 
human activity and revolutionized social life ? We tire in the 
vain attempt to recall them, and to comprehend the magnitude of 
their results. A few among us to-day have lived to see nearly all 
the changes which have transpired during the life of this town ; 
but the most of those who enjoy the blessings of the hour, have 
come upon the stage during the latter half of the century. Of 
those who lived here fifty years ago, death has claimed the greater 
share. 

The theme of the hour is predetermined. My remarks would 
be regarded as irrelevant to the occasion, were I to speak other- 
"wlse than of physical peculiarities of the town, Its past history, 
the character of the fathers, and its present condition. 

The cradle In which we were rocked was not one of luxury. 
The soil and climate of this region are not adapted to nurture 
an effeminate race. These hills are not fitted for Axe raislno- of 
those, whose distinguishing qualities are gentleness of manners 
and softness of character. The rough surface of the town could 
not be cultivated by gentlemen In kids; nor were the boys who 
grew up on these farms, likely to be noted for the whiteness of 
their hands. To fell the forests, and subdue the land In its primi- 
tive state, required a hardy energy, which would mark their 
general demeanor. Those who were accustomed to break the 
snow-drifts, on these highways. In the depths of New Hampshire 
winters, would not be likely to shrink before any conflict life might 
impose. An author, writing In 1821, said : " Few towns, if any, 
discover more marks of laborious industry." It was an industry, 
severe and constantly laborious, which could change the wilder- 
ness of a century ago, Into the fruitful fields of the days of my 
boyhood. Nature was not lavish in her gifts of fertility to these 



20 THE CENTENNIAL. 

granite hills ; but the energy of our fathers evoked from them 
enouo-h to meet the demands of life. Though their toil was se- 
vere, the returns for their industry, if not greatly abundant, were 
yet sufficient to fill their homes with cheerfulness, and their hearts 
with gratitude to the Giver. The remark was often made in my 
younger days, that, though Acworth could not boast of her wealth, 
but few towns were so exempt from cases of abject poverty. The 
prayer of Agur seems to have been answered in behalf of this 
people : " Give me neither poverty nor riches ; feed me with food 
convenient for me ; lest I be full and deny thee, and say, Who is 
the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my 
God in vain." 

With feelings of honest pride, we speak of such surroundings 
as those amid which we were reared, remembering that similar 
were the circumstances attending the early life of some of the 
foremost men of the age and nation. Very pertinent was the re- 
ply to the sneering inquiry, " What can you raise in New En- 
o-land ? " " We raise men, sir ! " 

There is a remarkable tendency in this country, to the decay of 
old families and the disintegration of old estates. The constant 
transferrence of the hardy men of the country to the city, to fill 
the places of those who rot in its hot-beds, is required, to keep 
the currents of business from stagnating. The names once con- 
spicuous in the affairs of state and nation, are not the prominent 
ones of to-day. These hills and valleys are the nurseries, whence 
are transplanted the fresh young trees that flourish in the richer 
soil of more active business communities. Amid the ruo-o-ed 
scenes of country life were reared the Websters, Casses, Wood- 
burys and Jacksons, of a former period, and the Douglasses, Lin- 
colns. Chases and Grants, of the present hour. Daniel Webster 
is reported to have said, that New Hampshire was " a good State 
to emigrate from." With greater reverence for the place of our 
b'.rth, we should say, that it is a good State in which to be born 
and reared. 

The influences of the scenes of our early lives, live in our hearts 
to-day. Widely separated as our present residences may be ; 
whether living amid the rushing tides of a giant empire at the 
West, under the sunny skies of a reconstructed South, in the 
ruffo;ed climate of "the New Dominion" of the British Provinces, 
or on the isle-studded shores of the Pine Tree State; Ave have 
been moulded in our characters by impressions received amid the 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 21 

hills and valleys of our native town. They have entered into the 
textures of our minds, and become a part of ourselves. We carry 
with us the events which occurred, and the scenes in which we 
took an active part, in our younger days. Something of " Old 
Acworth " lives and breathes in us, wherever we are, and what- 
ever our characters in other respects. 

The present contains the past. We of to-day are but the prod- 
uct of the centuries. All ages of men have conspired to mould 
and train us. They have united to give direction to our thoughts, 
and to shape our destinies. Especially is it true of the ao-e and 
people who have just preceded us. They have left their impress 
on our minds and hearts. Something of those sturdy old men, 
whose shadows move before us as we look into the mirror of the 
past history, breathes within us. Their thoughts and words and 
deeds have contributed to make their descendants what they are ; 
and we of the present, in a certain measure, revive the thouo-hts 
and re-enact the deeds of our fathers. Eightly to interpret the 
present, we must know something of the past. Eightly to know 
ourselves, we must be able to decipher the hieroglyphics, written 
by those who preceded us, on the stage of active life. As he who 
would perceive the full meaning of the Christian religion must be- 
come familiar with that of Moses and the Jews, of which it is the 
outgrowth ; so also must he who would see the full significance of 
the time in which he lives, become acquainted with the spirit of 
the ages that preceded it. 

I shall not attempt to give a detailed history of the town. That 
labor is to be performed by abler hands, and by those havino- bet- 
ter facilities for learning the facts. I shall only advert to some 
portions of that history, as serving to elucidate my theme. 

Three waves of immigrants appear to have met in this town, 
and aided in its early settlement. The first was from Connecticut ; 
and probably, though of this I am not certain, it was composed of 
the descendants of those hardy pioneers, who at an earlier period, 
went from the vicinity of Boston, through the then unbroken 
wilderness, to plant that colony. The Hafpers, the Silsbys, the 
Keyeses, the Chattertons and others, were of this class. On the 
earliest records of the town their names constantly occur, together 
with those of others, who came from the nearer settlements of the 
Massachusetts Bay Province. A tradition, years ago often re- 
peated, relates that the fiiourishing willows, near the brook that 
runs through the old Silsby farm, sprang from a rod, used as a 



22 THE CENTENNIAL. 

staff and for the driving of cattle, by one of the family, on the 
journey from Windham, Connecticut. It may be so ; though it 
mars the story somewhat, to have so many willows through the 
country claiming a similar origin. 

These Connecticut people brought with them the peculiarities 
of the colony whence they came — the industrious habits and strong 
religious convictions, which gave character to the town. Its good 
name among the surrounding settlements is mainly to be ascribed 
to the strict morality and ardent piety of its first settlers. In 
1771, the little community held its first town meeting at the house 
of Capt. Henry Silsby, and laid the foundation for that orderly 
management of town affairs, for which the place was long noted. 
"With but two or three exceptions, the meetings were held at Capt. 
Silsby's house, till the first meeting-house was sufficiently com- 
pleted to be used for that purpose. 

The next wave came from Londonderry, and was composed of 
the descendents of the old Scotch Presbyterians, who had left their 
native soil in Argyleshire, and settled in Ulster County, Ireland, 
in the early part of the seventeenth century. Their ancestors had 
not felt at home in Ireland. Rigidly adhering to the Reformed re- 
ligion, and intensely in earnest in their devotion to the teachings 
of their faith, they had little community of interest with the peo- 
ple of the island. The latter, though subject to the Protestant 
power, were yet as bitterly opposed to the Refoi'med faith, as the 
Protestants were to Catholicism. The two races could not unite. 
They were opposed to each other, not only in religion, but in their 
habits and modes of thought and feeling. They had different ori- 
gins. They nursed in their hearts the recollection of centuries of 
enmity and strife. It is not strange that a portion of these people, 
thus surrounded by Catholics, and hemmed in by a ruder civiliza- 
tion than their own, should turn their thoughts to the New World, 
and seek a more congenial home, in its less genial climate, and 
on its less fertile soil. Providence led a large company of them, 
after spending an uncommonly inclement winter on the coast of 
Maine, to the town of 'Plaverhill, on the Merrimack River. They 
heard of an unoccupied but excellent tract of land, fifteen miles 
distant, to which they directed their way. It was in the spring of 
1719. Under the shade of an oak, they organized a church ac- 
cording to the prescribed forms, and elected their pastor. And 
there they laid the foundations of a community, which was des- 
tined to act an important part in the early history of the State? 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 23 

and to furnish some of its most prominent statesmen. The butter- 
nut, chestnut and walnut abounded, and the place had been called 
Nutfield. Very properly it took the name of Londonderry, from 
the place in Ulster County, Ireland, whence the settlers had come. 

Some of the people of Londonderry came to Acworth, as early 
as 1772, and united with those who had already come from Con- 
necticut, in laying the foundations of the civil and religious privi- 
leges, with which the town has been for a century signally blest. 
Your Finlays, Dickeys, McLures, McKeens, Andersons, Gilmores 
and others, are descendants of settlers from Londonderry. The 
immigrants from Ireland had brought the seed of the flax to their 
new home in America ; and the towns where they settled became 
noted for its culture, and the manufacture of linen fabrics. The 
spinning-wheel, turned by the foot, became an Indispensable article 
of furniture in every family ; and there are not many of the older 
houses of Acworth, in which specimens of this antiquated imple- 
ment of home industry may not be found, stowed away in the 
garrets. To the Scotch-Irish settlers of New Hampshire, the 
country is also Indebted for the potato, now so generally used in 
the homes of the rich and the poor alike. 

These people agreed with the families from Connecticut, in ac- 
cepting the doctrines of the Westminster Catechism ; but they 
differed in their views of ecclesiastical government. Naturally 
there were some jealousies between them. There were prejudices 
to be overcome, and conflicting interests to be harmonized. But 
the difficulties were not insurmountable ; they were gradually re- 
moved ; and the two races united in their social and religious in- 
terests. It was a sturdy element that was thus Introduced, and 
to it the town is greatly indebted for the development of its re- 
sources. It gave to the place a character somewhat marked and 
peculiar. 

In 1635, some sixty families had come over from Yorkshire, 
England, and settled In Eowley, on the Merrimack. They had 
been manufacturers of woolen cloth in the old country, and they 
erected in Eowley the first woolen mill In America. Their de- 
scendants had spread over many towns In the vicinity. Many of 
them had made themselves homes in Francestown, Weare, Deering, 
New Boston, and Mount Vernon. Tradition tells us, that some 
of the Londonderry people, going to and returning from Acworth, 
gave so favorable a report of the facilities it afforded for making 
good farms, that many were Induced to remove thither. This 



24 THE CENTENNIAL. 

gave rise to the third wave, which came from Weare and vicinity 
composed mostly of the descendants of the Yorkshire settlers, on 
the Merrimack, in Massachusetts. The Goves, the Baileys, one 
branch of the Carltons, the Dodges, Sargents, Atwoods, and 
Crams were among these settlers. This classification of the early 
inhabitants, of course, is not perfect. As the town increased in 
population, families came from many places far apart, influenced, 
it would seem, by that love of change and the hope of bettering 
their condition, inherent in our national character. These different 
peoples lived, for the most part, in harmony, side by side ; during 
the war of Independence, they were united in their feelings for the 
cause of liberty ; they worshiped at the same altar ; they inter- 
married and became a homogeneous people. 

Our fathers were a God-fearing people ; and in this, as in other 
respects, they were worthy descendants of their Puritan and Pres- 
byterian ancestors. One of the first objects of their solicitude 
was, to obtain the stated ministry of the gospel for themselves and 
children. Having held their first annual town-meeting, within 
three years of the coming of the first settlers, they called a special 
meeting in August, in the language of the warrant, " to fix and 
lay out a place for a meeting-house, if they shall think proper ; 
also, a convenient common thereto, and a burying-yard for said 
town." At the meeting, it was voted "that the meeting-house be 
set on ten acres of land," the boundaries of which were specified, 
" to be laid out in a square form ; and that the remaining part of 
the ten acres be appropriated for a burying-lot and commonage." 
Though so few in numbers and so feeble in means, yet they voted 
in 1774, " to send for Rev. George Gllmore, to come and preach 
with us one month or more, in order to settle with us in the work 
of the ministry." A church of eight persons had been formed, 
in March, 1773. 

With feelings of deep sympathy we follow them in their efforts 
to secure a place of worship, where the incense of their hearts, 
united in the fear of God, and the love of Christ, should be offered ; 
and a pastor, who should teach them the truths of religion, and 
win them, by the example of his life, into the path of heaven. It 
was a time of peril and gloom. The troubles which resulted in 
the war of the Revolution were gathering, and the conflict soon 
burst upon the land, with all its horrors. The call for men soon 
reached the infant settlement, and taxes were laid which they 
found it difficult to meet. But while loyal to their country, they 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 25 

did not forget their allegiance to heaven. Liberty, ^vithout the 
blessings of the gospel, would be for them of little value ; and 
they counted all material interests, as not worthy to be compared 
w^ith the riches of the Christian life and the hope of eternity. 
How to obtain the means to build a sanctuary to the Lord, and 
how secure the benefits of the preached word, were objects they 
ever kept in view. For twenty-one years, they prayed and en- 
deavored, before their first pastor, Rev. Thomas Archibald, was 
ordained and installed. During the period they had had preach- 
ing, some part of the time, nearly, if not quite, every year; and 
the number of their church-members had increased to fifty-eio-ht. 

The records of the town tell us with what solemnity they pro- 
ceeded in the matter of settling a minister. E very thin o- was done 
decently and in order. May 18, 1779, they instructed a commit- 
tee to invite the candidate to preach on probation. July 25th, 
they voted to give him a call, and charged the committee to inform 
him of the proceedings. September 3d, as if to proceed in accord- 
ance with established usage, they voted "to unite with the church" 
in a form of call which is recorded at length. " In the most solemn 
manner, as in the presence of God, they invited, entreated and 
called upon him to take the pastoral care and charge over them, 
promising him due submission and love in the Lord, and also a 
comfortable support and maintenance." A committee of twelve 
was raised " to confer with the candidate and desire him to deliver 
his principles in writing." It was voted " to raise fifty pounds as 
a settlement, one-fourth part to be paid in gold or silver, and the 
remainder, equal to beef at twenty shillings per hundred weight, 
wheat at five shillings per bushel, rye at three shillings and six- 
pence, and flax and butter at seven pence ; " also, " to raise fifty 
pounds as salary," to be paid in the same way; and "to add five 
pounds a year, till it amounts to seventy-five j)ounds, there to re- 
main during his ministerial relation." 

October 7th, at another legal meeting, a day was appointed for 
the ordination, the council was agreed upon, and the requisite com- 
mittees chosen. At the next annual meeting, the expenses in- 
curred preliminary to the settlement and at the ordination, were 
provided for. These proceedings were in marked contrast with 
the levity, with which pastor and people now often come together. 
They looked upon the minister as the servant of Christ. They 
revered him for his high office ; and they felt that in listenino- to 

his teachings, and observing them, they would be blest. 
4 



26 THE CENTENNIAL. 

They were nearly as long in obtaining a place of worship. The 
frame of the first meeting-house was raised and probably covered, 
in 1784 ; but it was not completed, and the pews assigned, till 
1787. By votes passed at several regular and special town-meet- 
ings, it appears that the glazing, plastering and joinering were 
done at different periods, as the people were able to pay for the 
work. No record shows it to have been formally dedicated. Its 
only consecration was in the hearts of those who met within its 
homely walls, for the worship of the Everlasting Father. I well 
remember the plain old structure ; its box pews, with high banis- 
ters, over which I used to look in childish wonder, at the minister 
in the pulpit, and the singers in the galleries ; the seats, hung with 
hinges and turned up during prayer, and whose clatter at the close 
was the only audible response to the minister's amen; and the 
soundino--board, which I used to watch in constant terror, lest it 
should fall and crush the good man who stood beneath it! Without 
form or comeliness, and all destitute of beauty or grace of propor- 
tions, it was yet to many souls " none other but the house of God 
and the very gate of heaven." The worship within was quite as 
sincere, and quite as acceptable in the sight of God, as that which 
is offered in the costlier shrines of more modern times. Though 
the edifice was mean, yet many souls which bowed at its altar, 
were adorned with all the beauty and grace of the Eedeemer's 
Kingdom. 

The Lord's Day was kept with great strictness by these people. 
Whether beginning on Saturday night at sunset, or as now at mid- 
nio-ht, it was a season of profound solemnity. How still everything 
was ! No sound of labor or of mirth was heard ; only the going 
to and returning from public worship, or the voice of prayer and 
praise. It was a day of rest for the body, and of refreshment for 
the soul. Many a person, whose residence has since been in 
crowded cities, where the Sabbath has become, in a great meas- 
ure, a day of physical and social relaxation, has longed for the 
delicious stillness, and devout musing on heavenly themes, which* 
marked the Sabbaths of his childhood and youth. 

Family worship was generally observed by the people of those 
early days. Even those who were not members of the church, 
and who had made no public profession of religion, were accus- 
tomed to meet around the family altar, and lift their hearts in sup- 
plication and thanksgiving. Their religion was one for the home 
as well as for the church, and all their labors were sanctified by 



CENTENNIAL ADDEESS. 27 

prayer. It was sincere and heartfelt, pervading their thoughts, 
and giving color to their lives. No painful doubts or cavilino- 
questions disturbed their faith. They believed the Bible and the 
creed of their church, and only sought to live so that they might 
hear at last the welcome benediction, " Well done, good and faith- 
ful servants," 

The people of this town very early saw the necessity of provid- 
ing schools for the young. Next to religion, they felt the worth 
of good learning. Training their children " in the nurture and 
admonition of the Lord," they also trained them for lives of use- 
fulness. If any people could be justified in neglecting to make 
provision for public schools, it would seem that such justification 
might have been theirs. They were few in numbers. They were 
subject to the deprivations incident to the subjugation of the hard 
and uneven land of the place they had chosen for their abode. 
The colonies were engaged in a bloody war with the mother coun- 
try; and even this remote hamlet, so insignificant in population 
and so destitute of means, was called upon to bear its share of 
the burdens. But our fathers regarded it as no excuse for neg- 
lecting their duty to their children. Taxed to the utmost for the 
support of the war, they were ready to tax themselves more, if 
possible, for securing to their children the privileges of school 
education ; for they knew that the future interests of their town 
would depend very much, under God, upon the intelligence of 
the people. 

An article in the warrant for a special town-meeting, in 1774, 
was " to consult about having a school this winter." The record 
does not show what was done with the article. No other action 
seems to have been taken on the subject, for several years. No 
mention is made of a school-tax, or of school-moneys. But they 
were not without a school ; for we find a special town-meeting 
called " at the school-house in said town," in November, 1778 ; 
and the meeting was held as warned. A school-house had been 
built, near the south-west corner of the Common, before that date. 
How it was built, what kind of a structure it was, and how the 
school was maintained, I do not know. The teachers may have 
been paid by private tuition-fees ; or they may have received for 
their compensation a pittance of the money raised " to defray town 
charges." 

By the terms of an addendum to the charter and the names of 
the grantees, one seventieth part of the township was reserved 



28 THE CENTENNIAL. 

"for the benefit of a school in said town forever." In 1783, it 
was voted to sell the school lands, and place the proceeds in the 
treasury, the interest to be accounted for yearly, and appropri- 
ated to the support of schools. In 1790, the town was classed 
into nine school districts. The next year, it was voted that the 
districts build their own school-houses ; and the town chose a 
" headsman " in each district, to receive the allotted money and 
see it properly laid out. District collectors were first chosen in 
1794. A quarter of a century elapsed before the inhabitants, 
amid the poverty and embarrassment of the times, were able to 
secure the benefits of summer and winter schools, in all parts of the 
town ; but these citations tell us with what persistent endeavors 
they sought to achieve this end. Though often disappointed, they 
never despaired. Many here to-day have reason to be grateful 
for the advantages provided in the summer and winter schools of 
the town, of a former period, for securing the elements of their 
education. Though the privileges were neither many nor great, 
yet they were richly prized, and diligently improved. In the 
homely structures with which the town was dotted, many acquired 
a degree of solid culture, often missed by the children of the pres- 
ent day, in more favored localities. But few of the blessings of 
my early life are remembered with more gratitude, than those I 
enjoyed in the old red school-house behind the pound, under the 
instruction of such teachers as Corinna Slader, Mrs. Newman, 
Lydia Ilunton, Gen. William Carey, John Pearson, Jesse Mills 
and Milton Parker. They would not probably rank very high, 
when compared with teachers of the present day. They were 
the best the times aflPorded ; and one pupil, at least, remembers 
them with gratitude, for the desire they awakened within him for 
a more extended course than the curriculum of the Acworth 
schools afforded. 

Our fathers were patriotic. The records of their devotion to 
the liberties of their country are written in the story of what they 
sacrificed for them, in the midst of the poverty of the times. The 
troubles which preceded the War of Independence, had already 
far advanced when the hardy pioneers from Connecticut began tg 
clear these hills. The English had obtained Canada by the Peace 
of Paris, in 1763, and the French and Indian war had ceased. 
The Stamp Act was passed, in 1765. " The Stamp Act Con- 
gress " met in New York the same year. The affray between the 
citizens of Boston and the British soldiers, occurred two years 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 29 

after the settlement of the' town. The tea was destroyed in Bos- 
ton Harbor, in 1773. The next year the port of Boston was 
closed, and a Congress of the Colonies met in Philadelphia. The 
battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, which made accommoda- 
tion with England hopeless, were fought in 1775. 

It would seem that so small a community, hidden among these 
hills, would have been overlooked, and thus escaped the call for 
munitions and men. But they were too deeply interested in the 
issues, to pass unnoticed. Small as they were, they felt that they 
had a country to defend, and they would not shrink from bearing 
their part of the burdens of the conflict. They sought, rather 
than evaded, opportunities for participating in the strife which 
was to secure the independence of their native land. 

At a special meeting at which the boundaries of the Common 
were designated, they voted it, among other uses, " for a training- 
field." A meeting appears to have been held, of which no record 
exists, when Capt. Henry Silsby and Lieut. Ephraim Keyes, had 
been chosen delegates " to consult with sundry other towns what 
method was best to be taken to secure our just rights and privi- 
leges." The consultation- had taken place at the house of Capt. 
John Bellows, in Walpole, in 1774. Benjamin Giles, Esq., of 
Newport, who, three years before, had issued the warrant for the 
first town-meeting in Acvvorth, had presided at the meeting in 
Walpole. Arrangements had been made for another meeting at 
the same place, to be composed of delegates, legally chosen from 
every town in the county. To this second "congress," Acworth 
sent Capt. Henry Silsby and Samuel Harper, and the meeting 
advised the towns to be provided with arms and ammunition, fur 
defence against any encroachments that might be made. I jud'i^e 
that the encroachments they feared were those of the King and 
Parliament for enforcing the unjust system of taxation, against 
which the colonists protested, and not, as it might at first seem, 
that an attack was anticipated upon any portion of the county. 
Cheshire county was a part of the country. A blow inflicted on 
any part of the land, would be felt as one aimed at the liberties of 
the people, in this remote region. In accordance with this advice, 
the town voted to provide every man with ai-ms and ammunition, 
and to meet speedily for inspection. At the annual meeting, the 
following spring, it was voted to procure "a town stock of anunu- 
nition," and at an adjourned meeting, " to raise nine pounds, law- 
ful money, to pay for that already bought, and to pur chaise more." 



30 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Measures were taken " to proportion the number of men who shall 
go on any sudden emergency to fight our enemies," and the faith of 
the town was pledged to pay those who should be ordered out. 

On the 3d of July, 1776, in consequence of word received from 
Col. Bellows, a special meeting was warned to meet at eight 
o'clock the next morning, at which it was voted "to send to head- 
quarters at Exeter, for half a barrel of powder, one hundred and 
fifty pounds of lead, and three hundred flints ; and every one of the 
refo7'mados and soldiers shall have one pound of powder, three 
pounds of lead and six flints, and to pay for the same; the re- 
mainder to be turned into the town stock." Fourteen guns were 
also to be obtained, and Lieut. John Kogers was dispatched on 
the errand. Thus, on the very day, when Congress, assembled in 
Independence Hall, in the city of Philadelphia, solemnly declared 
"that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free 
and independent states," the people of Acworth, assembled in 
town-meeting, were preparing, so far as their agency could effect 
it, to make that declaration good. 

From this time, till peace was established, the records of every 
year evince their unflinching devotion to the cause of independ- 
ence. They chose committees of safety. They kept a stock of 
the munitions of war on hand. They maintained their militia or- 
ganization, and had their days of inspection and drill. They met 
the requisitions of the Colonial authorities, for men and supplies. 
Their most prominent citizens served various lengths of time as 
volunteers — men like Capt. Henry Silsby, Lieut. Ephraim Keyes, 
Dea. Thomas Putnam, John Duncan, and Dean Carlton. And 
when a system of government was to be formed for the State, they 
watched with jealous care the measures that were proposed, re- 
jecting and approving plans that were submitted to their votes, 
like men who knew their rights, and dared defend them. 

I have not the means of learning the number of men from this 
town, who served in the war. No entire list has fallen into my 
hands. But in the ancient records for 1777, I find the names of 
those for whom credit was claimed, to that date. Thirty-seven 
men had then been in the service, various lengths of time, from 
nine days to one year and eight months. The war had then 
but just begun-; and the records show that provision was promptly 
made to fill the quotas as they were called for. The only clue I 
have found to the names of the ancient worthies, who, subsequent 
to that date, were ready to take their lives in their hands and lay 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 31 

them down on the altar of national independence, is the list of 
those who received government pensions. But, as previous to 
1836, only a few were the recipients of this token of a nation's 
gratitude, many had received their discharge from life's conflicts, 
and their names had been entered upon the roster of the eternal 
world. It may be that many of those heroes must remain un- 
known, till their self-sacrificing deeds shall be read in the light of 
the world to come. I regret that Acworth's Kevolutionary roll 
of honor is so imperfect. 

The town contributed its share of the burdens of the second 
war with Great Britain. But little is found upon the records, 
that relates to the struggle. At the annual meeting, March, 
1815, it was voted to make up the pay of the soldiers, called out 
in the autumn of the year before, to fifteen dollars a month, and 
that of the commissioned oflScers in proportion. I am told that, 
when in 1814, a call was made for men to go to the defence of 
Portsmouth, the " East Company," under the command of one of 
Acworth's most respected citizens, Capt. Gawin Gilmore, volun- 
teered in a body, and a draft was required to determine, not who 
should go, but who should stay at home ! Two of those soldiers 
of the war of 1812, I am happy to see present to-day — our re- 
spected and honored fellow-townsmen, Capt. David Blanchard and 
Dea. Thomas Ball. 

One soldier from Acworth distinguished himself in the war with 
Mexico ; Capt. John M. Barnard, whose voice you will be glad 
to hear, in the speaking at the table, this afternoon. 

The patriotism which thus animated the breasts of the fathers 
was not wanting in those of the sons, when in 1861, traitorous 
hands were laid upon the general government, by those who had 
long been its petted favorites. Many of your young men, sharing 
in the enthusiasm of "the great uprising," enlisted under the ban- 
ners of their country, and freely gave themselves to the cause of 
loyalty and freedom. The calls of the government for men were 
cheerfully met. The quotas were filled ; and the town in its cor- 
porate capacity, voted generous bounties to those who left their 
homes, and braved the dangers of that murderous conflict. Hap- 
pily, we have the names of the soldiers from the town, who served 
in the war of the Rebellion. Written upon the tablets of your 
hearts, you can never forget them. Tears have not yet ceased to 
flow for those who fell in battle, and died from the exposures of 
life in the camp. But time with you is passing away. Another 



32 THE CENTENNIAL. 

generation will search as earnestly for the names of the patriots 
of 18G3 and 1865, as we for those of 1776 and 1778. Let them 
not perish through your neglect. Trust them not to the uncer- 
tain rumors of tradition. Let not even the most carefully written 
records suffice, for the solicitude with which you seek to preserve 
them. But upon a shaft, hewn from a quarry of your native 
o-ranite, eno-rave their names in characters that no lapse of centu- 
lies can efface. In years to come, around such a monument of 
the patriotism of their fathers, your children and your children's 
children will meet, rehearse the story of their deeds of valor, and 
swear, that the free institutions for which they braved the terrors 
of the battle-field, shall be forever preserved ! 

Our fathers were ftiithful in little things, as well as in greater 
ones. They watched the town expenditures with scrupulous 
fidelity, so that there could be no misappropriation of the public 
funds. The men who transacted the town's business, and handled 
the people's money, were too conscientious to think of growing 
rich at the public expense. Had they been ever so much disposed, 
they could not have done it, for the town's " Counter," elected an- 
nually for that purpose, rigidly scrutinized the receipts and expen- 
ditures of the town officers. It was the day of little things. 
Money was scarce and the people poor. The small taxes of the 
day bore harder upon the people, than the larger ones we are 
called to pay, even since the burdens of the late war fell upon us. 

Looking over the lists for 1793, 1 find that only in the highway 
tax, which was to be paid in labor, was a sum equal to one pound 
assessed against any man. The highest town-tax, that year, was 
paid by Jabez Alexander. It was only eight shillings and three 
pence, while a majority paid less than one shilling. The whole 
town-tax was only eight pounds, six shillings and eight-pence. 
The minister-tax was sixty-five pounds, eight shillings, three and 
a half pence. County tax, fourteen pounds, six shillings and one 
penny. Meeting-house tax, twenty pounds, nine shillings and 
one penny. In all, about one hundred pounds, money tax, for the 
year, or not far from five hundred dollars in federal money. The 
sum is small, compared with the assessments of our day, but it 
was no trifling matter with the fixthers. Considering the poverty 
of those times and the wealth of the present, together with the 
difference in standards of value then and now, it was a heavier 
l^urden than our recent troubles have imposed upon the present 
generation. When money is so scarce as to compel us to pay our 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 33 

taxes in what we raise from the soil, we may, perhaps, be allowed 
to grumble for some other reason than for political effect. In 
1791, it was voted that the ten pounds raised to pay town charo^es 
might be paid in rye at three shillings and sixpence, and in other 
grains or flax, at their current values. Rye and flax were legal 
tender here, seventy-five years ago. 

Among the troubles of the times we recall, the people of Ac- 
worth and vicinity at one time did not know in what State they 
lived, or to what authorities they owed allegiance. New York 
laid claim to Vermont. The people living east of the Green 
Mountains were hostile to the claim ; and at one time a project was 
on foot to organize a State, to be composed of towns on both sides 
of the Connecticut River, and to be called New Connecticut. The 
government of New Hampshire resisted the movement, and set 
up a claim of jurisdiction over all that part of eastern Vermont, 
embraced in what was originally called "the New Hampshire 
Grants ; " while Massachusetts found a pretext for extending its 
authority in the same direction. A party arose who argued that 
though the towns included in the New Hampshire Grants lying 
east of the Connecticut River had formerly recognized the author- 
ity of New Hampshire, yet, since by the original grant the State 
was circumscribed by a line running sixty miles from the coast, 
and by casting off" the British yoke the people were left " in a 
state of nature," therefore they had the right to form such politi- 
cal connections as a majority should elect. Hence, in 1778, six- 
teen of these towns sought to be represented in the Assembly 
of Vermont. In December of that year, a convention of dele- 
gates from several towns on both sides of the river met in Cor- 
nish, and made proposals for the settlement of the difficulties, 
either by an agreement with New Hampshire as to the dividing 
line, or by a submission of the dispute to Congress or some 
other mutually chosen umpire. Should neither of these proposals 
be accepted, if an agreement could be effected with New Hamp- 
shire respecting a form of government, they would consent that 
the whole of the territory of " the Grants," on both sides of the 
river, should come under its jurisdiction.. If such agreement could 
not be made, they resolved " to trust in Providence and defend 
themselves." 

These controversies, though now involved in somewhat of ob- 
scurity, at one time seriously threatened the public peace. A 
Vermont constable attempted to arrest a debtor on the east side 



34 THE CENTENNIAL. 

of the river. The OAvner of the house where the debtor was 
found, resisted. The householder, with one in his company, was 
imprisoned in the Charlestown jaih A New Hampshire sheriff, 
attempting to release them, was imprisoned by a Vermont sheriff. 
The militia of New Hampshire was called out to liberate him; 
and the governor of Vermont threatened to oppose force to force. 
The Vermont sheriff, with others, went as a committee from the 
governor of Vermont to the governor of New Hampshire, to agree 
on measures to prevent hostilities. He was arrested at Exeter, 
and thrown into jail, as a hostage for the New Hampshire sheriff. 
A proclamation from the governor called upon the revolted towns 
to return to their allegiance, within forty days. The militia was 
ordered to be in readiness to march against the revolters. Civil 
war was only avoided by a letter from Gen. Washington to Gov. 
Chittenden of Vermont, advising a relinquishment of the jurisdic- 
tion claimed east of the river, and intimating that a non-compli- 
ance would be construed into an act of hostility to the United 
States, and that coercion would become necessary. It was the 
first time the word was ever used in the history of the country. 
Washington believed in ."coercion." 

Acworth was one of the revolted towns. Henry Silsby and 
John Duncan were chosen delegates to a convention held in 
Charlestown, " to consult upon and unite in such measures as 
should be most conducive to effect a union of the territory " of 
the New Hampshire Grants. In March, 1781, the people voted 
to come under the jurisdiction of Vermont, and chose John Dun- 
can representative to the Assembly. During the year, six special 
town-meetino;8 were notified "in the name of the State of Ver- 
mont ; " and Acworth was legally recognized as belonging to the 
County of Washington. 

I have introduced this piece of history, to show the difficulties 
and perplexities of the times, and also the difference then and now, 
in the value of money and the services of public men. -For four- 
teen days' attendance at the convention, John Duncan was voted 
" nine hundred and eighty dollars paper money, or the value 
thereof in silver money, the rate of exchange between the two 
currencies being seventy-two to one ; " also four shillings and 
seven pence for expenses. His compensation for services, travel- 
ing fees and expenses amounted to a dollar a day, a sum which 
would now only suffice for the purchase of a dinner at a public 
house. The difference of the times is vividly seen in the differ- 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 35 

ence between this and what a member of Congress, or of the 
Legislature, now receives, by way of salary, or pe?' diem, mileage 
and incidentals. Small as it seems, doubtless, many of Mr. Dun- 
can's fellow-townsmen would gladly have taken his place, consid- 
ering him fortunate to get even that. 

We go back to a period a century and a half earlier, and find a 
better illustration of the difference between the present and former 
times. In the introduction to that quaint book, recently re-pub- 
lished, entitled " Wonder-working Providence of Zion's Saviour in 
New England,''^ we read that the town of Woburn voted to pay 
its representatives six pence a day besides their diet ! This 
was the rich emolument of a representative to the General Court 
of Massachusetts, in the year of Grace, 1645 ! And the same his- 
tory tells us, that, on account of the difficulty in obtaining silver 
to pay the representatives' board, corn was sometimes sent in its 
stead. 

It is amusing to read the record of sums paid annually by the 
town for the care of the first meetino;-house. Six shillings were 
voted the first year, for the service, to Daniel Grout, Jr. After- 
wards it was put up at auction and bid off at sums varying from 
five shillings to two dollars and a quarter. Lazell Silsby did the 
work one year for five shillings. John Bailey bid it off once for 
one dollar and eighty-three cents. I believe he underlet it ; but 
think of his riding two miles, " over the hills and through the 
woods," to open and shut the house and keep it fit for service, on 
Sundays and for week-day lectures, summer and winter, during 
the year ! 

It is with deep interest we recall the peculiarities of the men 
who acted their part in the early history of the town, as they float 
down to us on the records of memory and the breath of tradition. 
We try to catch their lineaments, and to see the expression of 
their faces. They were a plain people, simple in their manners, 
diligent in labor, and economical in their expenditures. The old 
farm-houses were not distinguished either for the grace of their 
proportions, or the beauty and costliness of their decorations. 
The furniture was neither abundant, nor remarkably ornamental. 
The daily fare was homely, but sufficient for the needs of a healthy 
generation. They were not given to compliments, and did not 
think much of useless ceremony. The neighbor who knocked at 
the door was told to " come in." If at meal-time, a seat was 
ready for him at the frugal board. lie was bidden to help himself 



36 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Often he found neither cloth nor plates, but must cut his mealy 
potatoes upon the clean white table. Like the others, he Avould 
dip his pieces in the gravy of a common dish, from which he 
Avould, with his fork, fish out the unctuous pork, that had been 
cut into mouthfuls of the proper size, by the careful mother of a 
numerous family. Brown bread and fresh butter followed the 
"meat victuals;" after which a good-sized "riz" doughnut pre- 
ceded a generous piece of pie, well sweetened with molasses. A 
huge mug of cider was then passed round ; and no company of 
grandees ever rose from a banquet, with more evident satisfaction 
than they ^indicated, by the smacking of their lips. They were 
excellent neighboi's, and ever ready for neighborly deeds ; and 
though tenacious of their rights, and a little apt to quarrel about 
any real or foncied infringement of them, they were ready, the 
next day, to make up their difficulties, over a steaming mug of 
toddy. 

We touch here upon one of their greatest frailties. They 
were lovers of alcoholic liquors, and " mighty to drink strong 
drink." Ardent spirits were used on all occasions — in haying 
and reaping, chopping and burning, sheep-washing and sheep- 
shearing, and at births, marriages and burials. On public days, 
and at raisings, huskings and clearing-bees, they often drank 
deeply ; and as a consequence, sometimes they were quite merry, 
and at others very quarrelsome. Many strange stories -were told 
in my younger days, by the older men, of the doings at such 
times. The practical jokes they played upon one another, seem 
hardly possible to be credited now. Certainly they would not 
now be tolerated. 

The inconsistency of those who like our fathers were addicted 
to the use of intoxicating liquors, is shown by the action of a 
town-meeting, held December 23, 1784. Eighteen pounds were 
voted " to pay for rum procured at the framing and raising of the 
meeting-house;" and each person who had advanced money for 
that purpose, was ordered to be paid out of the sum raised. Be- 
cause of their poverty, they had been twenty years without a place 
of worship. Tlje materials were mostly contributed, in lieu of 
money so hard to be raised : but now that the timber was on the 
ground and the work begun, they could afford to purchase and 
drink one hundred dollars' worth of rum, in preparing and setting 
up the frame ! We are sometimes told that, after all the temper- 
ance effort of forty years, no real progress has been made. This 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 37 

simple fact, the evidence of which is on the town records, suffi- 
ciently refutes the assertion. 

Let me here bear testimony to the credit due to the persistent 
energy of Eev. Phineas Cooke, who inaugurated and carried for- 
ward, in the face of ridicule and opposition, the temperance re- 
form in this town. I remember well the excitement caused by 
the movement, the witticisms perpetrated at its expense, the wrath 
of those who thought their liberties infringed, and the difficulties 
in the church, which resulted in his dismissal, after a faithful min- 
istry of fourteen years. Though he was driven from his cherished 
field of labor, yet the work he inaugurated went steadily on. 
Based upon correct principles, no form of opposition to it can per- 
manently succeed. Many who joined in the clamor against him, 
were glad afterwards to acknowledge their error, and to join at 
last in doing honor to his memory. In years to come, his name 
will be spoken with reverence, both for the fragrance of his mem- 
ory in the churches, and for the change he wrought in the habits 
of his people, and in removing their most besetting sin. Though 
dead, he yet speaks on this subject, as well as on others which per- 
tain to his high calling. The words he uttered in reference to it, 
from this place, were winged with a power which no time can ex- 
haust. And the discussions to which they gave rise, and to which 
the young listened on the Sunday noons, on the grass under the 
east windows of this church, have been as good seed sown in 
many hearts. 

How well I remember those Sunday noons ! There was scarcely 
a thought which had been uttered from this pulpit, that was not 
there discussed. How distinctly I see the forms of the earnest old 
men, the leading members of the parish — Col. Duncan, Dea. Fin- 
lay, Dea. Grout, Samuel Anderson, Lemuel Lincoln, and many 
others, their contemporaries in the history of the town ! What 
hard shots they could give, and what sharp retorts they would 
pleasantly receive ! Is it but a fond partiality for the recollections 
of childhood, that makes me think the men of that day a noble 
race ? Their foibles and vices seem to me to be overshadowed by 
the finest qualities of mind and heart, that I have ever seen in 
quite an extensive acquaintance with many classes of people. 

" Theirs was a noble spirit ; rough, 
But generous, and brave and kind." 

While we honor their memories, let us prove ourselves Avorthy 



38 THE CENTENNIAL. 

of such an ancestry. Well for us, if we inherit their inflexible 
adherence to their honest convictions, their untiring industry and 
patient endurance, their cheerfulness and good humor under diffi- 
culties and trials ; well, if we serve our God as faithfully as they 
sought to do. 

The history of a town like this furnishes but few incidents of 
general interest. It was not settled, when Capt. John Stevens so 
gallantly defended Fort No. 4, from the hostile visit of the French 
and Indians, under M. Debaline, in 1747, Had it been, it might 
yet have escaped the notice of the enemy ; for the absence of 
nearly all the nut-bearing trees, indicates that it did not lie in the 
war-paths of the Indians, who usually followed the courses of the 
larger rivers. It has, therefore, for recital, no startling details of 
Indian treachery and cruelty ; though, once in a while, as the tra- 
dition runs, a solitary Indian strayed through the settlement. 

No terrible tragedy ever occurred within its borders ; and its 
annals are unstained with the records of any appalling crime. 
Few towns have had so peaceful an existence, with a quiet so uni- 
formly unruffled. 

Our Connecticut ancestors were devout believers in ghosts. A 
few of those harmless visitors were reported to have made noctur- 
nal incursions into the houses of the earlier inhabitants ; and a 
number of witch-stories used to be told, to the amazement and 
terror of the children of fifty years ago. But looking back to 
those periods in the light of the present day, I think we shall all 
agree that the worst spirits with which the people ever had to 
deal came from the distilleries, and the most fearful ghosts that 
ever danced over these hills were conjured up by fancies, disturbed 
by an enemy the people had put to their own mouths. Witches 
there certainly were here in my younger days, and I must own to 
being often disturbed by their magic wiles ; and judging from what 
may be seen to-day, at this great gathering of the fairer portion of 
the present and former inhabitants of the town, they have not yet 
lost their power of enchantment. 

Turning from the past, one look at the present and the future. 
From its physical peculiarities, Acworth can never be otherwise 
than mainly an agricultural town. Its water-power is insufficient 
for extensive mechanical or manufactui'ing purposes. In the fu- 
ture, as in the past, its population must be somewhat limited. But 
its resources have never yet been fully developed. These hills may 
be made more productive than they have ever yet been. By bet- 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 39 

ter culture, your crops may be doubled and quadrupled. By ju- 
dicious underdraining and a liberal use of the rich muck of your 
swamps, by skillful composting and more attention to the adapta- 
tion of the soil to particular crops, with a market so near as Clare- 
niont, and a railroad for transportation to Boston within eight 
miles of your village, your farms may be made as profitable as 
any in the country. By encouraging the introduction of such 
manufactures as may be profitably pursued, employment may be 
given to your young men and young women. Far better for them 
and for the place, if they are kept at home by such inducements, 
than if compelled to leave for a livelihood elsewhere. There is 
jio reason why your farms may not be made more productive by 
the methods indicated, and your home-market of twice its present 
capacity in its demand for your products. With the present im- 
proved implements for ditching and underdraining ; for planting, 
reaping and gathering ; for mowing, raking and pitching ; the 
labor required to accomplish this will be much less than that ex- 
pended by your fathers in subduing these lands. The same ad- 
vance in your methods of tilling the soil as that in the manufacture 
of your maple sugar, will make the other branches of your rural 
industry as profitable in proportion. 

Try it, fellow-townsmen. Instead of complaining of the meagre 
returns for your toil, and looking with longing eyes to other sec- 
tions of the country for your future homes, by intelligent and skill- 
ful industry make your present homes such as shall afford you all 
the comforts needed to satisfy a reasonable refinement of taste. 
Encourage your boys to stay at home, by making their homes 
pleasant and attractive. Educate them for a life of industry amid 
this beautiful scenery ; for intelligent farmers. Dignify your call- 
ing ; and do not, by constantly complaining of the hard lot of the 
farmer, seek to make them dissatisfied with agricultural pursuits. 
I have been about the world somewhat, during these thirty years' 
absence from Acworth, and in positions to witness the opportuni- 
ties afforded by the different trades, professions and callings, for 
real enjoyment ; and the longer I live and the more I see, the more 
I am persuaded that, all things considered, no mode of life fur- 
nishes so great facilities for solid comfort and true happiness as a 
life upon a farm. I have never seen the place where one can get 
a living without work, industry and persistent endeavor. I have 
asked a good many people more or less given to complaining, to 
tell me if they knew of such a place ; but I have never heard of 



40 THE CENTENNIAL. 

it, this side of our final home. Nor have I seen any place, or any 
position in life, in which temperance, frugality, industry and perse- 
verance ever fail to secure competence and comfort. They have 
done it for the people of this town in the past ; and they will do 
it in the years to come. God never intended that the labors of 
the fjithers in subduing these hills, should be lost, or that the 
farms, on which so many of us were reared, be permitted to be- 
come wastes. And I am persuaded that those who occupy them, 
and skillfully manage them, will be surer of prosperity, than if 
they leave them, to become adventurers in even more fertile parts of 
the country and the world. 

While careful of these material interests, imitate the zeal of the 
fiithers, in your care for good schools. Kemember that there is 
the same room for improvement in them, as in all other things per- 
taining to human well-being. A school like that taught by Gen. 
Carey fifty years ago, though then thought to be nearly perfect, 
will not answer present demands. Employ the best teachers, and 
avail yourselves of all the improvements that have been made in 
common school instruction, for the benefit of the children. Be 
liberal in all the expenditures that shall tend to the advancement 
of the moral and religious interests of this community. Keep the 
sacred fires of religion brightly burning in your homes and In 
your hearts ; and then, he who so abundantly blessed the fathers 
will as abundantly bless the children. 

Friends and fellow-citizens : the events of this day will soon be 
over. From its festivities we shall soon return to our homes, so 
widely scattered and so far apart. Never again shall we all meet 
on the shores of time. Many of us have passed the meridian of 
life ; and the thin and scattering locks, silvered with the frosts of 
many autumns, admonish us that our day is advancing to its close. 
Our eyes begin to grow dim, and our steps have lost somewhat of 
their wonted elasticity. Something of sadness mingles with our 
rejoicings. These friendly greetings, with many, will be the last. 
Those of us who, because of filial obligation, have best kept up 
our acquaintance In our native place, will not long have these ties 
to draw our steps thitherward. Our visits will gradually, for a 
time, be less frequent ; and then, from advancing age and perhaps 
the palsying hand of disease, will cease forever. We cannot 
think, without a tear, of bidding a last adieu to these places, made 
so dear by the associations of our childhood. 

But, while we shake the hands of our friends as Ave sej^arate. 



CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 41 

smiles shall mingle with our tears. Though avc know wc may 
perhaps meet never again on life's shores, we are assured that we 
may all meet once more, 

" Where forms unseen by mortal eye, 
Too glorious for our sight to bear, 
Are walking -with their God on high, 
And waitiner our arrival there." 



P o e m. 



ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 



If a man unskilled in the warrior's art — 

Yet, daring to act the general's part — 

Should lead men forth to deadliest battle, 

Midst clash of arms and the cannon's rattle ; 

If one most sadly non compos mentis, 

Not knowing of law what the intent is, 

And, in government, not understanding 

The art of ruling or of controlling, 

Should be placed, somehow, in the chair of state, 

To execute laws for the small and great ; 

Should one essay, on a great occasion. 

To please the crowd with a fine oration, 

Who had failed to learn, while he was young 

The mere a b abs of his mother tongue ; 

Ye would think each one. in pitiful case 

In so far outstepping his proper place. 

So know ye well how to coramisserate 

One like myself whom unpitying fate 

Hath failed to bless with poetical pate ; 

To whom it doth fall, with toil and with pains, 

To tune his voice to poetical strains. 

Ah ! how did I tremble, and fear, and shrink, 

To dip my poor pen in the poet's ink, 

As I heard Dame Fortune whisper, and say, 

"It is thine, Good Sir, on a coming day — 

Thine, I assure thee, to bear a new part. 

And try well thy skill in the poet's art ; 

Aye, when shall have come, on a joyful day. 

Men, women, and children, from every way, 

When, at a set time, the native townsfolk, 

When, at a sot time, beloved kinsfolk, 




'^-^ 



POEM: ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 43 

Are truly well met from far and from near, 

To celebrate the centennial year 

Of a township's birth whose pure and good name 

Shows scarcely a blot to tarnish her fame ; 

When hands shall be given in warmest greeting, 

The hearts of all in unison beating, 

At this great, this happy, family, meeting ; 

Then, know it is thine, to bear a new part, 

And try well thy skill in the poet's art." 

Ah ! how did I fear, and tremblingly ask, 

" Why ? why I essay this difficult task 

To make vain show of poetical lore ? 

Since, as oft as I would in days before, 

For a time quit Earth and her homely charms, 

To be borne aloft in fair Muse's arms. 

The ungen'rous Muse declining her aid 

Hath frowned on me, with a shake of the head, 

And from out her dark and her winsome eyes 

Hath cast on me looks of greatest surprise, 

Unconcealed, unmistakable, wonder, 

That I should make this singular blunder 

Of apeing the poet — stealing his thunder." 

But cometh the query, by day and by night, 

" How is it ? why is it that my poor mite 

Can swell the joys of the great occasion ? 

The joys of the festal celebration ; 

For the Muse, to my prayers, hath ne'er gi'cn heed. 

Nor will she, this hour of my sorest need. 

But ah ! I have it — the way — it is clear — 

Despair, I will not, no more will I fear. 

In slow moving prose, I will show my skill. 

In dull, slow moving prose, my part fulfill. 

And, yet, in order to make it appear 

To the unskilled, the uncritical ear, 

That, to the poet's tune, I'm keeping time, 

I'll clothe it all in the garb of rhyme. 

So, clothing my prose in a stolen dress. 

My thoughts, in rhythmic lines, I'll dare express." 

But, perplexities began to double. 

There came a new and a sorer trouble 

Of which matter troublous, I ne'er did dream, 

To make choice, it was, of the fittest theme. 

So, ran my thoughts about to hasten o'er 

The numerous themes in Memory's store ; 



44 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Eat, all ! midst all the stuff and rubbish, there, 
I could not find, with hours of search and care, 
The object of my ardent wish and prayer. 
Then walked I forth and took the open fields, 
To seek the aid which Nature sometimes yields, 
And as on I walked, I scarce knew whither, 
Hither sometimes tending, sometimes thither, 
I, yet, was troubled sore, perplexed, confused, 
I thought, and I pondered deep, studied, mused. 
So, pond'ring, wand'ring, wand'ring, pondering. 
Most slowly, idly, idly, wandering, 
Wandering slowly to a by retreat, 
I sat me down on a mossy seat, 
And 'neath the shade of a shadowy tree, 
Fell to dreaming — dreaming as thou shalt see. 

There stood before me, twelve winged steeds ! 

Just before me, twelve fiery steeds ! 

Twelve, fiery, foaming, prancing steeds ! 

These steeds were joined to a golden car ! 

A beautiful, gilded, -golden, car ! 

Magnificent, shining, golden, car ! 

And, in the car, was an unknown form ! 

Just in the car, a singular form ! 

A singular, fearful, giant, form ! 

The form was like the species human ! 

Twas, yet, unlike the species human ! 

Yet, unlike either man or woman ! 

On a giant frame, did tower so high. 

So huge a caput, far towards the sky ! 

So large the shoulders ! and the arms so strong ! 

Hands, so thick and wide, and fingers so long ! 

The feet, withal, of such wonderful size ! 

I scarce could credit my astonished eyes ! 

Such a noble form ! intelligent face ! 

And, when he bowed, such dignified grace ! 

Such a knowing look ! such a piercing eye ! 

Forehead, so massive ! so broad and so hiffh ! 

And, further, methought, such a dark stern brow ! 

The boldest before it must quail and bow ! 

Such signs of great might, in body and soul ! 

Signs of great wisdom, to direct, control ! 

Amazed, I exclaimed " Such wondrous nature 

Doth never appear in human creature ! 



POEM: ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 45 

" Tis Divine! the form is Divine! " I said, 

And turned to flee being sorely afraid. 

" Haste — baste not," be cried, " but dispel tby fears, 

Tbe name tbat I bear is One Hundred Years, 

Aye, (hie Hundred Tears is my rightful name, 

And mine, for my deeds, is infinite fame ; 

I was born, rightly recalling the date, 

Year seventeen hundred and sixty-eight ; 

The Universe broad is my native place, 

The Universe broad, my aljiding place ; 

Though it is passing strange, I testify 

I had no infancy, no childhood, I, 

For, as broke from the shades of blackest nio-ht. 

The dawn of being on my wondering sight, 

The King Eternal of — this I am sure — 

Gave me all the powers of years mature. 

And, strange to recount, from that very day, 

On me conferred, unlimited sway, 

Full, unlimited sway for five-score years, 

O'er millions on millions of whirling spheres ; 

And, o'er all events, great, wonderful, small ; 

O'er the deeds of men, o'er their actions all ; 

Gave me coursers twelve and ray royal car, 

To speed me to realms both near and afar. 

In faith, I have ruled, as 'twas given me. 

O'er countless globes, and on land and on sea ; 

But, the days of my years are almost gone, 

And my kingly work is now almost done, 

The sceptre of which I'm now possessor, 

I must soon give o'er to my successor. 

As took it, once, from my predecessor. 



But, sure, I see, 
Observing thee. 
Thy looks do show 
That thou wouldst know 
What great events, 
Results immense, 
What deeds so small, 
As some would call 
No deeds, at all, 
I've caused to be, 
By ray decree, 



46 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Or brought about, 
Year in, year out, 
And, easily, 
In century. 
In many years, 
(Thus are my fears) 
I couhl not tell. 
Both right and well, 
One millionth part, 
Or billionth part. 
Of my good deeds, 
Of my misdeeds, 
But, give thine ear, 
And thou shalt hear, 
Of deeds, a score. 
Or less or more, 
Which I have done, 
And glory won. 
I'll pass it by, 
How truly I 
Have caused the sun. 
His course to run, 
And ne'er to stray 
From destined way ; 
And, how I've kept. 
While men have slept, 
In its own place 
In boundless space, 
Each orb so bright, 
That shines by night 
With lovely light ; 
And how I've whirled 
Each wand'ring world — 
Whirled each planet 
Through its orbit. 
Guiding, rightly, 
Daily, nightly, 
Orb terrestrial, 
Orbs celestial ; 
With no clashing, 
All swift dashing. 
Onward rushing, 
Their course to run 
Around the sun ! 



POEM: ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 47 

Perfect order ! 
No disorder ! 
I'll pass it by, 
Not mention, I, 
How, in my reign, 
Years ten times ten, 
Good Mother Earth 
Hath given birth ; 
By my decree, 
To fully three 
Generations 
Of all nations, 
Tribes and races. 
Clans and classes ; 
How, by my leave, 
For sin of Eve, 
Grim Giant Death, 
E'er stalking forth, 
Hath frequent made 
His visits sad, 
To sturdy men, 
Tender women, 
Little children, 
And, borne away, 
By night, by day, 
Exultingly, 
Now fully three 
Generations 
Of all nations, 
Tribes and races. 
Clans and classes ; 
How, 'tis reckoned, 
In each second. 
At dark midnight. 
In broad daylight, 
At eve or morn. 
There hath been born, 
A living soul, 
For strife and toil ; 
How, 'tis reckoned, 
In each second. 
At dark midnight, 
In broad dayliglit. 
At eve or muru. 



48 THE CENTENNIAL. 

A soul bath gone 
To that dread bourne 
Whence none return. 
I'll pass it o'er, 
How all things, sure, 
Have been fulfilled, 
That I had willed 
Should come to be. 
On land and sea, 
On this planet, 
(Earth men call it) 
Except, if thou 
Dost wish me now, 
I'll brief review 
Acts just a few. 
Deeds done by me, 
On land, to thee 
Ever dearest. 
Loveliest, fairest. 
That land, on Earth, 
Which gave thee birth- 
Called here and there. 
Called everywhere 
In Eastern World, 
" The Western World. '= 
Twould weary thee 
To follow me 
To far off spheres, 
Sun, moon, and stars ; 
Twould weary thee 
To follow me 
To every land, 
To every strand, 
On this great orb, 
This mighty globe ; 
I'll only tell— 
So listen well — 
J What I did say 

To self, that day, 
On that day, when 
Began my reign 
■ O'er worlds and men 
What said I'd do, 
So loujr asro. 



POEM: ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 49 

Do for the rise, 
And enterprise, 
Wealth, power, and fame, 
And glorious name, 
And honor, true, 
Of nation, new, 
A people free, 
Whose name should be 
(Thus were the fates) 
United States ; 
What customs, new, 
Great changes, too, 
Should come to be, 
Through ray decree. 
On every hand, 
In this fair laud ; 
What I did say 
As, on that day. 
Year one thousand 
Seventeen hundred 
And sixty-eight, 
(Mark well the date) 
When (swift riding. 
My steeds guiding) 
I saw clearly 
(Halting midway 
O'er the Atlantic) 
England, frantic, 
Cursing, telling. 
How those dwelling 
On Western soil 
Had ceased to toil, 
Would toil no more 
To swell her store ; 
Then, thoughts like these. 
Myself did please. 
Silent expressed 
To self addressed : — ■ 



' Old John Bull now looks over the water, 
With fiercest eye, on his wayward daughter, 
Aud he swears big oaths, before gods and men, 
That ere a twelvemonth shall come round again 

7 

\ 



50 THE CENTENNIAL. 

His offspring so stubborn, his child so wild, 

Must quit her proud pranks, turn peaceful and mild ; 

But she, rebellious, would break from his rule 

Preferring to learn at a d iff 'rent school." 

" Now," thought I, looking out on this scene 

" I'll deepen this grievous trouble, I ween, 

I'll keep it in the heart of fierce J. Bull, 

To hold his child under rigorous rule ; 

In the heart of the spirited daughter. 

To heed no edicts from 'cross the water, 

As the noblest plans, I now have in view, 

Touching this child o'er whom Johnny's so blue ; 

Though now she's young and seemingly feeble, 

She'll yet give birth to a mighty people, 

The fetters which now so closely bind her. 

And are daily, hourly, her reminder 

Of her abuses, her oppression, sore, 

Shall be broken, and that forevermore. 

And, oh ! the glad day come when she shall be. 

Of the nations chief, great, happy and free. 

But in a conflict sad, 'tis hers to bleed 

E'er the stars and stripes shall be safe, indeed ; 

For I wish to show to cruel J. Bull, 

That he cannot have unlimited rule. 

And, too, I'd prove to the child abused, 

That she hath strength if she'll only use it ; 

Red-coats, I'll send to the Western shore, 

There'll be clash of arms, and the cannon's roar. 

Seven long dread years, I'll lead on the fight. 

Then say to her who has fought for the right : — 

" Lay aside thine arms ! fair child, thou art free ! 

Shout loud the poean of glad victory ! 

Up with the banner ! fling it to the breeze ! 

Freedom I've brought thee ! sound it o'er the seas ! 

And Freedom, I pledge thee, whilst I am king ! 

Victory's song, thou shalt joyfully sing ! 

Both near and afar, let the welkin ring ! 

Thou shalt so bask in Prosperity's light, 

'Neath skies that are commonly clear and bright, 

That thine shall be a sublimer career, 

Than was e'er foretold by prophet or seer ! 

Albeit, albeit, an adverse breeze 

May oft disturb thy political seas, 



POEM: ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 51 

And thy proud thy glorious ship of state, 

Threaten to founder on the shoals of fate ; 

Albeit intriguing politician, 

Willing slave to unhallowed ambition, 

May pilot thy ship self only to please, 

Drifting anon into dangerous seas ; 

Albeit, the weapons of party strife, 

IMay oft and sadly imperil thy life, 

When contending parties for zeal or hate, 

Do strive to seize upon thy ship of state, 

Each swearing itself at the helm must stand. 

And her course direct with skillfulest hand ; 

Albeit, the Chivs, hot-bloods of the South, 

And the Yankees, dull slow-heads of the North, 

Thinking each other to sorely harass. 

Though, in houses dwelling, of brittle glass, 

May each upon the other hurl huge stones. 

Dismayed not by bruises and shattered bones. 

And may hurl such missiles and curse and rail, 

Till plain it is they must signally fail 

Thus, thus to end their wordy contention. 

Then with impious zeal, deadly intention, 

(Most sadly, strangely, mistaking each other) 

On battle-iield meet, brother 'gainst brother, 

Son against father and father 'gainst son. 

The cruellest warfare that e'er was known ! 

Albeit, dai'k clouds envelop the skies. 

As the Black Man freed, grown suddenly wise. 

Shall with the White, take stand at the rudder. 

To guide the dear ship with his white face " br udder," 

Highly elate as he goes to the polls, • 

That the White, the Black no longer controls ; 

Albeit, thy ship as saileth along 

Shall be tossed thus roughly, piloted wrong 

She, yet preserved, shall her voyage pursue, 

Not once, in my day, capsizing her crew. 

And, thou, fair child, to thy joy and desire 

Bright laurels shalt wear, in spite of thy Sire." 



' This nation,' I said, first day of my reign, 
' Outgrowth shall be, of all races of men, 
All tribes and all classes that e'er were known, 
The red-faced native, and the foreign born, 



52 THE CENTENNIAL. 

English so proud, and the witty Irish, 
French so polite, and the crafty Spanish, 
Norwegians tough, and the honest Scotch, 
And the lucre-loving, beer-drinking Dutch, 
Italians refined, and hardy Russians, 
The Turks, the Swedes, and spirited Prussians, 
Good Belgians, too, and the pious Swiss, 
Those in Austria born, and those in Greece, 
Wandering Arabs, and the queud Chinese, 
Siberians, and the low Siamese, 
And Africans, ah ! a singular race. 
With pearly-white teeth and coal black face. 
And tribes and races many more. 
Shall, sure, send out from native shore, 
Across the rough and billowy sea. 
To this fair land so good and free, 
Brave men and women, children, too, 
With just this purpose, just this view, 
That there in peace and harmony, 
They may enjoy dear liberty, 
And for the toils, they may endure, 
E'er reap rewards both large and sure." 



^^ Progress, ^^ ^^ Enterprise,''^ " Free Competition,^^ 
The boast shall be, of the Western nation ; 
The Tanlcees, men of mighty intentions, 
Inventing e'er the newest inventions, 
Loving their god, the almighty dollar, 
Shall ne'er consent to willingly follow 
In the beaten track of their buried sires, 
Filled with the hopes their god inspires. 

Where, now, the farmer with blistering hand, 
Swings, slowly, his scythe o'er the mowing land, 
llien, ere coraeth the end of my kingly power, 
With a happier song than e'er before, 
With horses fine and a patent mower. 
His waving fields, he shall hasten over, 
His timothy fiiilds, and fields of clover. 

Where, now, with sickle dull curved and small, 
He bends to the grain, be it short or tall, 



POEM: ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 53 

Tlien, with spirited steeds both large and strong, 
And noisy reaper, shall he haste along, 
Both reaping and threshing the ripened grain, 
Luxuriant growth on the harvest plain. 

Where, 7iow, with slow needle and knotting thread, 

With finger so weary, and aching head, 

The sad, care-worn, seamstress, from day to day, 

Gets scantiest food from scantiest pay, 

Then, with cheerfuUest look that e'er was seen, 

She'll sit at some clatt'ring sewing machine, 

Turning off the stitches, from hour to hour, 

In each brief minute, a thousand or more. 

Now, 'neath many a roof in this fair land. 

The ruddy maiden, at the wheel doth stand, 

From earliest dawn till the setting sun. 

But as falleth the day, and night comes on, 

Few, ah ! few are the knots which she hath spun, 

O'er and o'er she counteth them one by one ; 

At the loom, oft sitteth the whole day long. 

Humming her happiest merriest song, 

Throwing her shuttle with swiftest motion, 

Wed to her toils with purest devotion, 

But as sinks the sun in the distant West, 

With a few scant yards she goes to her rest, 

Ere a centum of years shall roll around. 

In busy city, shall be heard the sound. 

Of thousands of looms and of spinning-jacks, 

With their buzz and their hum and clicks and clacks. 

Fed by the wonderful power of steam, 

Or by power of water from falling stream. 

And running and working at swiftest speed. 

First drawing the yarn and twisting the thread. 

Turning fast to cloth, some strong, some rotten, 

Large sacks of wool and large bales of cotton ; 

Then, farewell wheel in the kitchen corner ! 

And, farewell loom in garret or chamber ! 

Now, the nice young man and his laughing bride, 

To church, on Sundays, in company ride. 

On some dull nag, and one ever finds them, . 

He foremost riding, and she behind him ; 

But cometh a change at a future day, 

For the wedded pair, be they young and gay, 



54 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Or in tbe prime of life, or old and gray, 
Sitting side by side in a coach or shay. 
Drawn by mettlesome steeds — sorrel or bay — 
As proud as nabobs shall hasten away, 
To hear the pious parson preach and pray. 

Who hath it in mind, a journey to go, 

In the present age, so sluggish and slow. 

Of no way knoweth, but to mount his horse, 

Or be his own nag, which is yet much worse, 

And a hundred miles to the west or east, 

Is a long — long way for himself or beast. 

Tlien, the steam-horse whose food shall be fire. 

Whose bones, whose sinews, shall fail not nor tire, 

Puffing and blowing and belching out smoke. 

Most easily curbed though ne'er once broke — 

Shall, on track well laid for his rolling feet. 

Run long swift races, with none to compete. 

Dashing on and yet on with lightning speed. 

E'en ten times fleeter than the fleetest steed, 

Rushing through forests, over high bridges, 

Past mountain tops and stupendous ridges, 

Halting, now here, now there, in many a town, 

In many a city of high renown. 

Thus halting and going both night and day, 

Never in want of spur, barley, or hay. 

He shall dart through valley, over the plain. 

To all parts of the land, thence, back again, 

Followed behind by a numerous train, 

Of four-wheeled houses, for the comfort made, 

Of travelers of aught calling or trade, 

Merchant or priest, farmer or attorney 

Aye, for all who feel that as they journey. 

As they, rich and poor do ride together. 

They would sheltered be from doubtful weather ; 

Or, would sit on seat, soft, cushioned, easy. 

As in a parlor fine, cheerful, cosy. 

Each to muse with self or read the paper, 

Talk politics with his nearest neighbor. 

Or discourse freely on the latest news, 

Or all care dispelling, enjoy a snooze — 

The old iron-horse yet onward going. 

Rushing and rumbling, puffing and blowing. 



POEM: ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 55 

A Philosopher, learned, wise and witty, 

A dweller in Philadelphia city, 

Shall awake, by novel experiment, 

E'en in the learned world, astonishment. 

Franklin, this sage so wise of wide renown 

Shall call the ethereal lightning down. 

By the means of kite, and a length of twine, 

Supposing the fluid will take the line, 

And in form of spark, a theory prove. 

Prove, by its descent, fi-om the clouds above. 

Tis the nature of sparks, to upward go, 

(This, ladies deny, professing to know,) 

But, of the Franklinic spark, not so. 

For as thinketh he, shall the spark be drawn. 

But to send him stagg'ring suddenly down. 

From this simple event, I now divine, 

Shall come many a telegraphic line, 

And, a cable, too, all under the sea, 

(The wonder of wonders it well shall be) 

Shall from the Eastern stretch to Western shore. 

Uniting distant lands forevermore. 

Now, no mortal could possibly mention 
How invention shall follow invention, 
And how follow improvements, score on score. 
Hundreds and thousands on thousands, before 
I cease to be ; and ere endeth my power. 

Industrious, now, must the damsel be, 

Earning her flannel, bread, butter, and tea, 

To escape the jaws of dread poverty ; 

Nay, more, indeed, is expected to know, 

By the happy young man whom she calls beau, 

How to act the part of genuine cook, 

Without e'en the aid of a printed book, 

Make excellent bread, and excellent cheese, 

Pies, and the dainties nice, that him would please ; 

How to darn his stockings, handle the broom, 

And the treadles work of the squeaking loom ; 

How to knit, to spin, with needle to sew. 

Ere he, in bashful whisper, soft and low. 

Will pop the question and ask her to go 

From the roof paternal and come 'neath his, 

To try the sweets of matrimonial bliss ; 



56 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Then, wants grim visage so fear inspiring, 

Shall not drive ber, oft, to toil so tiring, 

For the ample purse of a doting sire, 

Shall freely ope to her every desire ; 

Then, too, he who with the nuptial halter, 

Would bind her to self at Hymen's altar, 

Shall seem to think it a non-essential. 

That she present a single credential, 

That she hath the knowledge, the tact, the skill. 

The duties in kitchen, to well fulfill. 

Now, those able to write, cipher, and spell, 

And read their Bibles tolerably well, 

Think they're prepared for the battles of life, 

Fully fitted all for each toil and strife ; 

The school-house, too, where the children gather, 

Whether in fair or in stormy weather, 

Sent thither, each, by mother or father, 

The wits of teacher to tease and to bother, 

Ought rather be called an apology 

For a school-house, wherein, '^logology" 

Might well be taught, for many a day. 

In view of the clumsy ludicrous way, 

The logs of the house are joined together, 

That teacher and pupils all may ever, 

As they, for their toils, do daily gather. 

Be screened from the snow, and the pelting rain. 

And from the searching blasts that sweep the plain. 

Now, ere endeth my reign this day begun. 

And ere all my appointed work be done, 

This Power in the West, new-born nation, 

Shall, best champion, be, of Education ; 

Fine temples of learning, on every hand, 

Shall quickly appear, thick studding the land, 

Where blessed Freedom's sons and Freedom's daughters, 

Shall at Learning's fount, drink purest waters; 

Then, the boy from learning his A, B, C, 

May a higher take, then, higher degree ; 

Who would highest climb the tree of knowledge, 

May his last degree receive at college. 

It needs be not, as in the present age, 

That all in the vigor of youth engage, 

In manual pursuits, to leave the mind, 

Forever and ever undisciplined. 



POEM: ONE HUXDEED YEARS. 57 

No need, that all young men at earliest dawn, 
Go forth to swing the axe, or hoe the corn ; 
No. For inventive skill shall lessen toil, 
Run many a mill and help till the soil. 
And, thus, many a lad who hath the will, 
May leave the work of farm or noisy mill, 
And revel as he likes then evermore 
In philosophic or in classic lore. 

Tlien, -proud Fashion's behests shall not permit. 

Ladies refined, to card, spin and knit, 

So in lieu of loom, in lieu of the wheel, 

In lieu of the hatchel, and snapping reel, 

In lieu of combs for the flax and the wool — 

But the list — I'll pass — so long and so full ; 

In the place, in short, of such implements 

Shall come the aids for the accomplishments, 

Such as beautiful sounding instruments, 

The piano forte, and melodeon. 

The stringed guitar, and accordeon, 

And very like it, the consultina. 

The harmouicum, and seraphina, 

The deep-toned organ on Sundays played, 

The organ by Mason and Hamlin made ; 

Lessons in painting in colors charming, 

Lessons in drawing for parlors adorning, 

And lessons in French, most musical tongue, 

Dancing lessons for the gay and the young ; 

Long lessons in the rules of etiquette. 

For those who would properly stand or sit, 

Or genteelly bow ; with fluency talk ; 

Or by rule shake hands ; most gracefully walk. 

Now there shall be a mighty change, 

In an important matter. 
And some shall think it for the worse. 

Yet, others for the better ; 
This mighty change, so important, 

-To the female sex pertains. 
To the just and true relation, 

Which she to the male sustains; 
To her appropriate duties, 

On this terrestrial ball, 
8 



58 THE CENTENNIAL. 

To the sphere, she's called to fill, 

By her Maker, Lord of all. 
She doth not, now, in least, lament — 

Lament her sad condition, 
And to change her lowly lot, 

Shows not the disposition ; 
Doth not, methinks, for once suppose, 

That she is a slave to man, 
And that, to break her heavy chains, 

She must e'er do all she can. 
Ah ! no. She's perfectly content. 

Oft to be in the kitchen. 
Tend crying babies, bake, and sew, 

Do every kind of "stitchin;" 
But, bye and bye, the scene shall change. 

And her work become a task. 
Her conversation take a turn. 

And how ? how turn ? some might ask. 
Oft Politics shall be her theme, 

And with a manly spirit. 
Her rights ; she'll say,' she does not have, 

No more, will she endure it, 
She's smart, she'll think, and ought to vote, 

And in fact, to legislate, 
Hold office, too, like other men, 

Aye, sit in the Chair of State. 
" Woman's Rights ;^'' she'll stoutly urge, for 

"No man is her superior^'' 
Indeed, if any difference is. 

He's " rather her inferior ;''"' 
Some noted men shall plead her cause, 

A Tilton or a Beecher, 
The one a racy editor, 

Th' other a famous preacher. 
Now should it come to pass, that, 

With man she wears the breeches. 
She will, methinks, till half the farms, 

And dig one half the ditches ; 
One half the forests, she'll cut down, 

Hew half the solid timber, 
Lay half the pavements in the streets — 

All this — for what's to hinder ? 
And half the dirt, will throw with spade, 

In cutting new railways through. 



POEM: ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 59 

Lay half the ties, and half the rails, 

Run half of the engines, too, 
Drive half the hacks and city cars, 

Carry half the country's mails, 
Man half the ships that cross the seas, 

Make half of the spars and sails, 
Indeed, fight half the wars, for, though, 

She's now the weaker vessel, 
She'll, sure, gain strength, her half to do, 

In storming fort or castle ; 
And, too, if she would married be, • 

Must do one-half the wooing, 
While man must change his part, somewhat, 

And do one-half the cooing. 
The sexes, sure, will be agreed, 

To do half and half the work, 
Whate'er the half which falls to each, 

That, neither may think to shirk. 



And yet another change, 
One singular and strange, 

Shall be in a coming age, 
Ere passeth century, 
Proud Young America, 

Shall be actor on the stage. 
One would think it, never, 
How this lad shall differ. 

From those of the present day, 
" His like hath ne'er been seen. 
In gesture, walk, or mien, 

In behavior," all shall say. 
Now, every little lad, 
Is by his parents made. 

Most courteous and polite, 
He's taught, as all agree, 
Obedient to be, 

Whether in or out of sight. 
And doth he ever meet, 
A person on the street. 

His head, he must uncover, 
And make as low a bow, 
As ever knoweth how. 

To maiden fondest lover. 



60 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Not oft doth make complaint, 
Though under such restraint, 

And, thus, so cruelly used — 
'Tis very, very sad, 
The dull unthinking lad, 

Knoweth not that he's abused. 
But Young America, 
Shall not so stupid be, 

In all of these little things, 
He "never will be tied," 
For, thus shall speak his pride, 
"To his mother's apron-strings;" 
Shall know a thing or two, 
And be, in parents' view, 

Smarter than all creation, 
Who'll fondly hope that he 
Will one day, surely, be 

President of the nation. 
An infant as to age. 
He, yet, shall seem a sage, 

Aye, the oldest man in town ; 
In pounds, of meagre weight. 
Yet shall he bring his feet. 

With power most wonderous down ; 
Though dwarfish as to size, 
Shall yet roll out his eyes, 

And swell to a man full grown ; 
Shall be very wise, and 
Think to understand 

All questions hard to answer, 
Knowing more than either. 
Father or his mother. 

Grandmother or his grandsire. 
Singular progeny ! 
This Young America, 

Surprising to the nations ! 
Other shall not arise. 
So wonderful and wise. 

So worshiped by relations. 

A vast, a wondrous, change shall be, 

In everything and matter. 
What I foretell, I'll surely see, 

Fulfilled to the letter ; 



POEM: ONE PIUNDRED YEARS. 61 

But no, I mean not all I say, 

I'll make just one exception, 
One thing there is, that shall not change, 

In this, there's no deception ; 
In Politics, then, same as now, 

Men shall hold to " Principle," 
Will show it by their arguments, 

Arguments invincible. 
If wheels a party square about, 

And takes its followers with it, 
They of party so tenacious. 

That scarcely one shall leave it ; 
And, if it strongly advocates, 

A measure it did oppose. 
Of those who turn as party turns. 

Not one shall change his views. 
For "Principle " shall be the cry, 

The motto of all who vote, 
So, in belief, no one can change. 

Though he oft may change his coat, 
" Principle " shall be the watchword, 

Of Party, Clique, or Faction, 
Aye, " Principle, dear Principle," 

Their only rule of action. 
Now some shall be — how passing strange — 

Who shall fail to understand 
How Party and how Principle 

Can, so well, go hand in hand. 
But this shall be no paradox. 

For, in proof, 'twill be of ilds, 
How truly accommodating^ 

Unwav'ring Principle is. 



As I view this fair — fair lovely land o'er. 

From shore on the East, to far Western shore, 

I see, as I gaze, on right and left hand, 

That forests, tall and wide-spreading, now stand. 

Some settlements are, but these are mere dots. 

There are millions yet of unfelled lots ; 

A few cities, true, are here and there seen, 

With, surely, a long, long distance between. 

Ere years, a centum, shall have made their round, 

Shall villages rise on new chosen ground, 



62 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Thousands on thousands, in all the wide land, 

Where these waving, tow'ring forests, now stand ; 

Many great cities shall spring into view, 

With mills, work-shops, and edifices, too. 

And dwellings fine, that no one shall number, 

Built of hard stone, brick, mortar, and lumber. 

Of townships good, in the newborn nation, 

One shall appear in rugged location, 

Which, though naught to be but a humble town. 

Shall come to some fame, no little renown — 

Acworth, aye, Acworth, shall be her right name, 

(Scarce other township, e'er known by the same.) 

And, Actoorth, sure, to good Acworth's delight. 

Shall builded be on the happiest site, 

Best loveliest spot that could e'er be found, 

Should traveler travel this big world round. 

Place choicest by far in all the fair land, 

For, when the observer shall take his stand 

At the center of town, then cast his eye 

Upwards direct to the beautifulssky, 

The middle of the heavens wide-arching will be, 

Straight over his head, ah ! well, he will see, 

O'er his upturned face, and clearly in view. 

Point central of sky, so broad and so blue ; 

And, if looketh he from Principal Street, 

He shall see where five or six highways meet, 

Which highways shall, to parts different lead. 

To all the known parts of the world, indeed. 

So if from this town would a townsman go, 

To aught wished for land, be it old or new, 

Or if foreigner would travel to it. 

There'll be ways enough for him to do it. 

So fair and far-spread shall be her renown, 

So known the good name of good Actvorth town, 

That when rolls round her centennial year, 

Friends, relations, from far and from near, 

Responding, all, to free invitation, 

Shall unite in one grand celebration. 

As if to a great, to a splendid fair, 

A concourse vast shall then thither repair. 

Of husbands, dear wives, fathers, fond mothers. 

Sons, fair daughters, loved sisters, and brothers, 

Neighbors, strangers, mere acquaintances, too, 

A numerous wonderful throng; to view. 



POEM: ONE HUNDRED YEARS. 63 

Oh ! that shall be a joyful occasion, 
When words of greeting — glad salutation, 
When a well-writ historic oration, 
A poem, music, and conversation, 
Ballads, a banquet, toasts, and speeches fine, 
Shall fill happier hours than mirth and wine. 

These joys shall be, and no error in date. 
Sixteenth September, eighteen sixty-eight. 
In the self-same year, I fix not the day — 
Shall my labors end, and I pass away. 

*' Such, such are things, said I, I would do, 
Said I, I would do, years centum ago. 
And many more like, — Oh ! well, many more — 
Of millions and billions, score upon score. 
Men ne'er have thought, and so much the better, 
That I've e'er had a hand in the matter ; 
They've thought they acted, as e'er it pleased them. 
Not dreaming for once that I deceived them. 
Oft, I have done good deeds, oft deeds done bad, 
Oft sorry hearts made, and oft made hearts glad ; 
Why thus I have done, not now will I show, 
'Tis enough to say, thou never canst know, 
So fare thee well, and a happy good-night," 
I turned me round, he was full out of sight. 
With these brief words, having said his adieu, 
Old One Hundred years had fled from my view. 

I thought to ponder on the words he spake, 
And, then, from my dream did sudden awake. 



64 THE CENTENNIAL. 



EXERCISES AT THE TENT. 



At the close of the exercises at the church, the concourse of 
people marched in procession, under the conduct of the Chief 
Marshal and his assistants, to the mammoth tent, which was pitch- 
ed on a lot belonging to Mr. C. M. Woodbury, a little south-east 
of the parsonage, on the lower side of the road leading to South 
Acworth. This tent was two hundred and five feet by eighty-five. 
In it the procession found tables bountifully loaded with good 
things of every kind, and plates laid thereon for nineteen hundred 
guests. The taste and order with which these tables were arranged 
were very creditable to the chairman of the Table Committee, Mr. 
John Blanchard. His skillful management was also evinced by 
the fact that the provisions had been collected from the voluntary 
contributions of nearly every fiimily in town, and yet there was a 
due proportion of every kind. The diligence of the rest of the 
committee, especially of the district chairmen, and the co-operation 
of the citizens generally greatly aided him in his arduous under- 
taking. How many partook of these provisions it is impossible 
to tell. Many more than nineteen hundred sat down at the tables, 
and provisions were carried to the multitude outside. It is proba- 
ble that three thousand persons partook of Acworth's bountiful 
dinner that day, and yet much was left. 

The guests being seated at the table, and a photograph being 
taken by an artist present, the blessing of God was invoked by 
Eev. J. L. Whittemore, and the provisions began rapidly to dis- 
appear. When these bounties had been thoroughly discussed, the 
following song, written by Zenas Slader, 2d, was sung by the choir 
and audience : 

A HUNDEED YEAES AGO. 

Tune :—Aidd Lang Syne. 

Again with heartfelt joy we greet, 

Our native hills once more ; 
Again, remembrance turns afresh, 

To the good old days of yore. 





t2y^/f^ -(^^^^^t^;?^ *«^<e^^ 



^r^-g^r^^-O-i^ 




C<y^^-^ 



(2^0^-Czyr 



EXERCISES AT THE TENT. 65 

We mark the mighty, restless tide, . 

Of Time's resistless flow 
We view the hills our fathers trod, 

A hundred years ago. 

Old Acworth's myriad sons come home, 

Her children scattered wide ; 
O'er West, and South, we've wandered far, 

More genial climes have tried. 
We come to laud that valiant band. 

Their deeds of glory show. 
Who nobly lived to bless mankind, 

A hundred years ago. 

Though few indeed, their numbers were, 

With courage undismayed, 
They onward pressed in Duty's path, 

And looked to heaven for aid. 
All honor to those ancient sires, 

Who laid the forests low, 
And tamed the silent wilderness, 

A hundred years ago. 

Stern want, and hardship, doomed to meet, 

Hard and severe their toil, 
Their steadfast aim, and dauntless will, 

Subdued a rugged soil ; 
Then honor to those gallant men, 

Whose sterling worth we know, 
The fathers of our goodly town 

A hundred years ago. 

But where are now, those men of old ? 

O ! where are they to-day ? 
The cares of earth disturb them not. 

For they have passed away. 
Though dead, their numerous virtues live. 

And untold blessings flow. 
From those, who broke this native soil, 

A hundred years ago. 

The following sentiment was then responded to by the Rev. 
Daniel Lancaster of New York City : 

" The Early Settlers of the Town — Firm in tlieir resolves, courageous in their ac- 
tions, and i)ersevering in their efforts ; at their hands the forests disappear, the 
dwelling, scliool and meeting-houses arise, and a whole township teems with the fruits 
of civilization." 

Mr. President, and Fellow- Citizens of Acworih: — Permit me to con- 
gratulate you on your success in this gathering, and myself on being per- 
mitted -to attend it. My older brother, John Lancaster, who intended to 
9 



66 THE CENTENNIAL. 

have been here with rae, has just been taken suddenly fi'om my side,- as I 
trust, tQ a higher assembly. And another' cotemporary, Ithiel Silsby, whom I 
expected to meet here, an early friend who first introduced me to my academi- 
cal tutor, has also just been called to his reward, before participating, as he 
had ardently wished, in these festivities. In their absence, I feel like one 
deserted and alone ; coming to meet not familiar faces, but strangers at this 
centennial. In rising to address you, also, I feel no little embarrassment, 
because I have so much given me to do and so little time to do it in, as the 
five minutes allotted to each speaker. 

In the resolution proposed by your Committee, and just read by the Presi- 
dent, to which I am called upon to respond, you will perceive I have not a 
problem to solve but a theorem to be proved, and why I should be requested 
to do it, can, I think, only be explained by one fact. I come down to you 
from a former century. Most of those now before me date their birth since 
the year 1800, and I cannot do that. I was born before that period, and of 
course belong to an earlier generation. And yet it seems to me there is a 
rejuvenating influence about this gathering. Since coming here I feel young 
again. The booming of your cannon at sun-rise this morning, every gun 
of the one hundred fired for the one hundred years of the century, as its 
sounds reverberated among these hills, seemed to have the same ring as 
in my boyhood days, and brought back vividly, the scenes of the past. 
Now, how is it, that I, born in the first generation of this century, should 
now in the fourth generation have the same youthful feelings; for allowing, 
as is usually done, thirty years to a generation, the century we celebrate to- 
day has comprised three and one-third generations. Near the close of 
the first thirty years I was born, and though too young to know much of the 
first generation of settlers by my own personal observation, yet the childhood 
traditions, mingling with my early remembrances, give me such vivid re- 
trospection of some events just then past, as to enable me to speak of 
them with almost as much confidence as if they had occurred under my own 
eye. 

I remember well several of the first settlers, shadows though they might 
have been of their former selves, yet even then venerable as the relics of the 
men who penetrated these forests, hitherto the abode only of savage beasts — 
men hardy, brave, determined, persistent, successful. Such men were Billy 
Clark, William Keyes, John Rogers, Peter Ewens> Robert Davidson, Daniel 
Grout, Joseph Chatterton, Dean Carleton, Henry Silsby, James McClure, 
and the two John Wilson's (known as Big John and Little John). Others 
equally or more prominent, and like these from seventy to eighty years old, 
my memory does not now recall. But their sons and others, of similar hardy, 
robust, resolute and fearless traits, who moved into town near the last of the 
first thirty years, and the beginning of the second generation, I r.ecollect 
with great vividness. Among those in my own immediate portion of the 
town, called the West-side, were Hugh and Samuel Finlay, Col. John Dun- 



KEMARKS BY REV. DANIEL LANCASTER. 67 

can, the Dickey brothers, (Capt. James, Adam and Beujamin,) qnd their 
cousin Lieut. James Dickey, James Wallace, Capt. Joseph Gregg, John and 
Jacob Hayward, the Lancaster brothers (Moses, Joshua and Ebenezer), the 
Grout brothers, Mr. Stebbins, Hugh Henry, the Silsby brothers, the Slader 
brothers, the McClure brothers, the Bailey's, Lemuel Lincoln, Daniel Nurse, 
James Warner, Elisha Parks and Lamed Thayer. A large number of 
others who settled on the East side, of whom I, at this early period, had less 
knowledge, also distinguished themselves at a later period of the town's his- 
tory, and their memory equally claims our honorable regard to-day. But I 
must confine my remarks to those early pioneers of these forests and their 
immediate posterity and associates. 

The points included in the resolution, you will perceive, are their courage., 
firmness and perseverance. If they approached these rugged hills, as it is 
supposed they did, from the plains and meadows on the banks of the Con- 
necticut River in Charlestown, it will be easily seen that these traits must 
have been fully developed in their attempts to make farms among these 
mountains. Think of the amount of hard labor required to turn these 
heavily timbered acres into fruitful fields, to level the foresi, to clear the 
ground, to sow the grain, to erect houses and barns, to grade the roads, 
to build the bridges and the mills, to fence the farms, to furnish the school 
and meeting-houses, and at the same time feed and clothe their families. 
Yet all this was done within the first generation of thirty years from the set- 
tlement of the town, and it required firmness, courage and perseverance, for 
many were the dangers encountered, the obstacles met and surmounted, the 
discouragements experienced and overcome ; but these men were equal to 
any emergency. Let me refer to a few incidents in illustration of this re- 
mark. It used to be related that when there was but one man in town and 
when he in his lonely toil was accustomed for a whole week at a time to hear 
no human voice, as he, one Saturday night, was just stooping down at his 
favorite spring for a draught of cool water before commencing his evening's 
walk to Charlestown to pass the Sabbath, where he'attended church with his 
friends, suddenly mere broke forth a voice from the tree above him, like 
to the human voice, uttering, "Who! Who! Who! Who!" He sprang 
to his feet and instinctively replied, " Bill Keyes. Don't you know me ? 
Come down here and let us get better acquainted." This last remark was 
accompanied by the discharge of his gun, and the speedy descent of the owl 
at his feet. Here was courage and decision. 

At a somewhat later period, when the settlers could count their neighbors, 
but wild beasts had not yet all retreated before the march of civilization, 
a man, being in the south-west part of the town, returning home alone at a 
later hour in the evening than was safe, was confronted by a bear in his path 
who, rising upon his hind legs, embraced the man with his fore paws, and 
was just opening his mouth to devour his prey, when he suddenly recoiled 
from the fatal plunge of the jack-knife, which entered his heai't and drew his 



68 THE CENTENNIAL. 

life's blood, laying him dead at the feet of his antagonist, who hastened to 
his home in the county without further molestation. 

Another event : — On the very day I was born occurred the last great wolf 
hunt in these regions, in which my father participated. The wolf had mo- 
lested the sheep-folds on both sides of the river, and found the best mutton- 
chops back on the hills ; consequently the western part of Acworth was 
sadly annoyed. The wolf had become old in crime, and was too wary to be 
caged or entrapped. A hunt was resolved upon by the people on both sides 
of the river, which was at the time bridged over by ice. The day was 
agreed upon — the signals were given — the horns were sounded — the ring 
was formed — the march commenced. Her wolfship was this time encircled. 
Not liking the administration of affairs in Vermont, where she was at the 
time residing, she retired in disgust to New Hampshire ; but she soon found 
that that too, was becoming an uncomfortable place of sojourn. She re- 
turned again to her Green Mountain retreats, but found them now infested 
by dogs, guns and men. She again recrossed the river in hopes to find a den 
of safety among the granite rocks of New Hampshire, but again she was sent 
back by the thickening ranks which were now concentrating on the mead- 
ows in Charlestown. Here the fierce, infuriated animal ran backward and 
forwards, attempting to break the ring, but was repulsed at every point. At 
length Col. Hunt, a Revolutionary officer, being mounted, rode forth and by 
a well aimed fire brought the animal to the ground, to the great joy of every 
weary hunter. The men of Acworth having dined to their satisfaction on 
wolf steak returned to their homes in the midst of one of the severest snow 
Btorms of the season. Here was a display oi firmness, courage, and persist- 
ency, undisputed and successful. 

These are traditionary incidents, yet I have myself known some pretty 
tall things of some individuals of these early generations. I have seen them 
ploughing above the clouds, as Gen. Joseph Hooker fought the rebels on 
Lookout mountain. In a bright autumnal morning I have seen the teams 
turning the furrow upon the hill side at an elevation much above the dense 
fogs that lay upon the Connecticut River. .1 have seen them breaking the 
roads through a snow-drift that was twenty-two feet deep on the 2nd day of 
April. I have heard in my boyhood days one of this generation boast that 
he could eat his way through pumpkin pies from his house to Col. Duncan's, 
a mile and a half. Another that he could raise a barrel of cider to his mouth 
and drink from the bung. All these marvels would indicate a strong, hardy 
race of men. But their strength and courage were not limited to muscular 
and digestive feats. Next to their labors and toils in getting their farms, 
and erecting their houses, came the necessity of getting a wife. And this — 
as every one knows who has tried it — requires courage on his part to begin 
the negotiation, and firnmess and perseverance to complete the contract, and 
on her part the same courage is required to yield assent to the proposals, and 
firmness and perseverance to abide by her own decisions. And yet they did 



EEMAEKS BY REV. DANIEL LANCASTER. 69 

it in every case wbere it was attempted and persisted in, and I never heard of 
divorce in these generations. They stood fast to their integrity. They ad- 
hered to the marriage union, and their houses were filled with the blessed 
fruits thereof. 

Having commenced their career on correct principles, they persevered in 
sustaining them. The name selected by the proprietors of Acworth being a 
contraction of the compound word Add-worth, became the motto of the set- 
tlers. A worthy race originally, they went on adding to their worth in every 
department — to their wealth, — to their estates if not to their hank deposits, — 
to their intelligence, and the education of their children, who in the com- 
mon schools, made very good scholars. If the letters, written by the youth 
of these early days, could be collected and examined to-day, I think very 
few words would be found mis-spelled, and few sentences of false grammar. 
They would compare well with the compositions of the present day. 

Acworth was early distinguished for raising up good school-teachers, and 
the first generation sent a fair proportion of their sons to college, among 
whom were Theophilus Wilson, Samuel Woodbury, and Jonathan Silsby, 
brilliant lights while they shone, but alas ! destined too soon to be extin- 
guished, being cut off in the very morning of their career. 

By union of sentiment, they added to their strength. They tolerated no 
loafers, and of course had no paupers, and no meddlers; They were a body 
politic in themselves. They had -no leaders. The people led. There was 
no ring — none to form a clique and say, as did the seven tailors of London, 
in their petition to Parliament, " We, the people of England.^'' There were 
no three, five, or ten men, who without being authorized, dared to say, " We, 
the people of Acworth.^'' It was one of the virtues of the fathers of the 
town, that they put down all who aspired to lead. They would not even 
allow a lawyer to put up his shingle here, and the first one who did so, was 
ordered to leave town before the next Saturday night. This policy gave them 
a strength and energy which could not be resisted. In every common enter- 
prise all took hold of the work, and it was a common remark that whatever 
Acworth undertook had to go. In all lawsuits in which the town was con- 
cerned, they were successful. Other towns attempted to throw their paupers 
on Acworth, but never succeeded. And this spirit of co-operation, I think, 
continues among their descendants. I see it at this celebration — in the ad- 
mirable arrangements for this festal day. The people combined, and there- 
fore it has been a success, and surely no better policy can be pursued. They 
added to their healthfulness and beauty, I know of no prevailing sickness 
in town, till the spotted fever appeared in 1812-13. Free from dissipation, 
regular, sober, and temperate in their habits, they ate well, and slept well, 
retired early, and rose early, and seldom had to call in a physician. The doc. 
tor could scarcely get a living among them. ' Their good health gave spright- 
liness and beauty to their descendants. The pioneer females were a fine race 
of women, who plied the distaff and wrought at the loom, producing the 



70 THE CENTENNIAL. 

home-spun clotli witH whicli they were clad, and the daughters they raised 
up at the same occupation were celebrated for then" beauty. The clear atmos- 
phere of these hills, and the bracing climate, even in the hottest season of 
the year, gave them a fair complexion and rosy cheeks, and tints of beauty 
far surpassing what modern cosmetics can produce. Every woman you met 
you pronounced the handsomest woman in town, and every family contained 
daughters handsomer than their mothers. You will not wonder I thought so 
when I tell you what a handsome thing they did for me while in college, 
when their " Sewing-Circle " sent me fifty years ago, by their good pastor, 
a handsome purse, well filled, to pay my college bills. As 1 look around 
here to-day I see (dim as my vision is), that this same quality of beauty still 
lingers in the grand-daughters that grace this assembly. May the same arti- 
cle never be wanting here. 

They added to their population. Their households increased, not always 
by twins, — but not very far between. The schools were full. In every dis- 
trict you would find an average of four or five to each family, an example 
worthy of imitation in every generation. 

They added to their rehgion. Always a sober, Sabbath-keeping, church- 
going people, I remember the old meetinghouse, then the only place of 
public worship in town, had seldom a vacant seat. And such a choir of 
singers, forty stalwart men on the bass, and other parts in proportion. The 
old fugue tunes of that day made the arches of the old house ring again. 
All were present at an early hour. The common was black with the gathering 
throng. The minister, Rev. John Kimball, issuing from his boarding-house, 
for he was a single man — would march up through the ranks, raising his 
hat, and bowing on either side. When he entered the house it was the signal 
for all to follow. In cold weather there being no means of warming the 
house, the lesson was soon said ; the prayer, always the same, and so often 
repeated that every boy knew it by heart, contained one peculiar phrase, 
which in these recent times might not have seemed perfectly loyal, " Sai/ to 
tJie North give up and to the South heep not hacky I could not then un- 
derstand, and I am not confident that I do now understand, what that meant, 
but I suppose it was not political preaching. The change of heart referred 
to in the Gospel, I never heard preached by him. But under his successor 
many added to their religion, and a large proportion of the adult population 
were members of the church. 

It was in these later days that the young men were inspired to form an 
association called the " IMoral Society," meeting once a month, for addresses 
and discussions on moral and religious topics, and every Sabbath noon, to 
hear religious reading by some one previously appointed. These meetings 
exerted a most salutary influence upon the youth, and was the pioneer to an 
extensive revival, bringing several of the young men into the church, and 
some of them into the Christian ministry. 

Thus I have, as I trust, established the points contained in the resolution, 






(^^^^t-!^^^^ 



REMARKS BY REV. DR. ORCUTT. 71 

of courage, firmness and persistency in tlie character of the early settlers 
and that thes6 traits have descended in each generation to the present. In 
these respects Acworth is Acworth still. Some have said here to-day, old 
Acworth, I say young Acworth for she is good for another century, and still 
another, as long as her hills shall endure. Instead of the fathers shall be 
the children, improved, refined, perfected, consummated in every noble trait 
and virtue. 

And as her sons shall revisit her in coming centuries, walk about her 
walls, and survey her bulwarks, and tell her towers, they may look up and 
say, as I am constrained to say, to-day, "Peace be within thy borders, and 
plenty within thy dwellings," and the grace of that God, who watched over 
the fathers, and was the Guardian of their children, rest also in each eenera- 

o 

tion in the hearts of their children's children, even unto the remotest periods 
of time. 

The second sentiment was responded to by Eev. John Orcutt, 
D. D., of New York City, as follows : 

" Our Ancestral Mothers — The spinning-wheel was their piano-forte, the cradle their 
melodeon, their sons and their daughters the best musical piroduction extant." 

3Ir. President : — I am aware it is expected of men in my profession, when 
called to address public assemblies, that they will stick to their text. Of 
this I have no disposition to complain. As a general rule it is right and 
proper. But inasmuch as the text announced for me on this rare and inter- 
esting occasion is not one of my own choosing, nor the place one of my own 
making, I feel that I must be allowed a little latitude in what I have to say. 
The memories, so full of mingled joy and sadness, which are called up, as I 
stand among my friends and fellow-townsmen, and which made me lono- to 
look once more upon the spot that gave me birth, are too numerous and press- 
ing to be entirely ignored or suppressed. 

On my way here I was led to reflect on the singular power there some- 
times is in a name. What but a name has caused this large ^atherino' of 
fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, the old and the young, many of 
whom have come from remote parts of the country? What, I ask, has 
brought us together, but the name of Acworth ? And yet it is not merely 
the name for there is an Acworth in Georgia, and Acworth is a family name 
in England, but it has no attractions for us in either of these directions. 
The magic power that influenced us, is the creature of circumstances. It 
was Acworth, New Hampshire — the place of our nativity, the home of our 
childhood that brought us thither. We are together by a common tie, and 
a common interest, and ready, I trust, to rejoice in each other's prosperity, 
and to do what we can to promote each other's welfare. And as I stand 
again on these familiar hights, and the eye of the mind with the rapidity 
of thought passes over the different localities of the town, noting " Coffin 
Hill," and " Keyes Hollow," "Grout Hill," and "Clark's Hollow," 



7Z THE CENTENNIAL. 

"Gates' Hill," and "Park's Hollow," " Derry Hill," and tlie " Finlay 
District," the scriptural inquiry is forced upon me, " Our fathers, where 
are they?" Where are the active men of the town some of us knew so 
well, forty or fifty years ago ? I cannot refrain from naming a few of 
those whose forms and features are as distinct in mind as if I had seen 
them but yesterday. Next to my own beloved father, I would name the 
Rev. Phinehas Cooke, for whom I ever felt the deepest reverence ; Dr. 
Carleton, Dr. Parker, Nathaniel Grout, Daniel Robinson, Gawin Gilmore, 
Ithiel Silsby, Edward Woodbury, Jacob Hayward, David Montgomery, 
Capt. James Dickey, Col. Duncan, Hugh Finlay, Robert McClure, Samuel 
McClure, Dea. Henry Silsby, Supply Reed, Dea. Edward Slader, William 
Grout, Col. Grout, Nathaniel Merrill, Joseph Hemphill, Robert Clark, 
George Clark, Isaac Campbell, John Currier, Capt. William Orcutt, Icha- 
bod Orcutt, Samuel Clark, James Young, John Woodbury, Thomas Davis, 
and many others that might be mentioned, equally worthy and no less es- 
teemed. Where are they? All gone to their graves. ^"They rest from 
their labors and their works do follow them." We love to think of their 
character and worth, while we mourn their loss. Whatever may be said of 
their imperfections, or faults, no town was ever settled by a more intelligent, 
industrious, energetic, patriotic, virtuous class of men than they. Ours was 
a paternal ancestry, of which we have no reason to be ashamed — rather one 
of which we may well boast. But this is a digression. 

Of our "Ancestral Mothers" I was to speak. Would that I had time 
and ability to do justice to them. As much as may be said in praise of our 
paternal ancestors, less should not be said in favor of our maternal ancestry, 
for it must be admitted that without our fore-mothers, our fore-fathers would 
not have been of much use to us ! 

Some one said to the first Napoleon, "what France needs is mothers." 
There was much force in the remark. As in a finished painting, it is the 
back-ground which gives character and effect to the picture, so in social life — 
in the family kingdom, though the fathers are most conspicuous, being seen 
in the fore-ground of the picture, as the bolder strokes of the pencil, the 
forming, dissecting, controlling , power, which gives character to the individ- 
ual, and to the state, is behind the throne, in the quiet sanctuary of home. 
It is in the mother. 

Our ancestral mothers are before us on this occasion, as musicians. "The 
spinning-wheel was their piano-forte." The spinning-wheel is among the 
objects of my earliest recollections. I remember well what was called the 
great-wheel, and the little-wheel, and the music they produced. I can boast 
of a mother who was a most skillful performer on that instrument — espe- 
cially the little-wheel. She could play to the tune of ten knots an hour of 
the finest linen thread, for which she repeatedly obtained a premium. My 
sisters, too, were good players on the spinning-wheel. So were mothers and 
sisters, generally, for it was a useful and necessary employment. It do- 



EEMARKS BY EEV. DR. ORCUTT. 73 

volvecl on them to manufacture clothing for the family, and they did their 
work well. There was little of the " shoddy " in their productions. It was 
useful in a two fold sense. It not only furnished the requisite raiment, but 
it tended to health. In those days modern gymnastics were entirely un- 
necessary. Every house was a gymnasium, in which the spinning-wheel, the 
loom, the hatchel, the kneading-trough, and the wash-tub, afforded abundant 
facilities for all needful gymnastic exercises. Practising on these instruments 
made women of nerve and vigor, and great physical endurance. 

But another instrument of music in those days is to be noticed, " The 
cradle was their melodeon." Whatever may be said of the quality of the 
music from this source, it cannot be doubted the melodies produced were va- 
rious and plentiful. As evidence of this I will cite a few cases. 

Mrs. James Miller, who with her husband settled in the south part of the 
town, was the mother of sixteen children, thirteen of whom grew to be men 
and women, and she lived to the age of ninety-two years. 

Mrs. Samuel King, who resided in the same school district, was the mother 
of fourteen children, all of whom lived to an adult age. 

Mrs. Col. Duncan who was a model step-mother to eight children of her 
husband by a former wife, had eleven children of her own, and is still with us 
in good health at the advanced age of ninety-four years, being the oldest 
person in town. From these cases, it appears that the melodies of the cradle 
were not few or far between. 

But I will not omit to state one other case of interest. Mrs. Lieut. John 
Ptodgers, one of the first settlers of Acworth, and maternal ancestor of many 
present, was called to dress a deceased neighbor in the habiliments of the 
grave. This kind office was hardly completed when she was summoned 
by another neighbor to assume the duties of a midwife. This office she also 
performed, thus clothing one of her neighbors for the grave, and another for 
life, on the same night. The infant born that night is Capt. James Wallace 
who is still among us, hale and hearty, at the age of eighty-two years. 

Such were the characters of our ancient mothers ; and the fact should not 
be overlooked, or forgotten, that with all their other good qualities, they were 
scrupulously religious. They respected the Sabbath, "not forsaking the as- 
sembling of themselves together " on that holy day for sincere and devout 
worship. Though sometimes obliged to either walk a long distance or ride 
on horseback behind their husbands with one, two or more children in their 
arms, they made it a matter of duty to go to meeting, and this may be re- 
garded as the crowning excellence of their character and worth. 

It is no small pleasure and honor to look upon the vast concourse of peo- 
ple assembled on this occasion, and feel that you are one of them, as the de- 
scendants of such an ancestry, and who will hesitate to pronounce it " the best 
musical production extant." 

Let us not forget, my fellow-townsmen, how much we owe to our maternal 
training. Let us ever be thankful that we were raised on these delightful 
10 



74 THE CENTENNIAL. 

hills, in this pure air, and under the tuition and watchful care of Christian 
mothers. 

And if the youth present will bear with me in a word of exhortation, I 
would say to them, do not be in haste to leave these rural scenes, and peace- 
ful homes, in pursuit of a fortune, or to improve your condition. If you do,» 
the chances are ten to one that you will reap the fruit of disappointment. 
It has fallen to my lot to visit many parts of the country, and to see social 
life in the city and great thoroughfares of business, and of pleasure, and I 
can most sincerely say, if I had children to leave in this world, I would much 
prefer to leave them on these Acworth hills, amid this virtuous and prosper- 
ous community, than mingling in the public marts, exposed to the uncertain- 
ties and surrounded by the temptations of city life. It was a scriptural 
commendation of Uzziah, that "he loved husbandry." 

Never leave the farm, or the workshop, merely for a more honorable, a 
more hopeful, or a more happy vocation. Be content to till the soil, to be a 
good farmer, a skillful mechanic, or an honest merchant, where you are, un- 
less duty calls you elsewhere. 

The spot where our noble ancestry chose to dwell, and toil and die, is a 
good place for their offspring. Be content with your lot, seek first the king- 
dom of God, live to do good, and your reward is sure. -^Be satisfied with 
the home of your ancestral mothers, to live where they lived, to die in sight 
of their honored sepulchres, and to be buried by their side. And may the 
blessing of their God, and our God, and our father's God, ever be with, and 
save us all for Christ's sake. 

Hymns of " olden time " and fugue tunes, were now sung by 
the choir, and remarks were made by Rev. Davis Brainerd of 
Lyme, Ct., who wlien fresh from the Divinity School, spent a few 
months in pastoral labor among these hills. The following toast 
was then introduced, and was responded to by Dr. William Grout, 
of Loraine County, Ohio : 

" The Soldiers of the Revolutionary War — Though their forms have left us, their 
deeds still live and tlieir memory shall be forever cherished." 

Mr. President, and Fellow- Citizens : — Permit me to preface my response 
by saying, that it affords me unspeakable pleasure to be with you here to- 
day, to mingle in this gathering, and participate in the festivities of this oc- 
casion. After an absence from most of you of more than forty years, I 
still feel an undying attachment to the land of my birth, to the home of my 
childhood. My heart swells vith emotion on being again permitted to tread 
this soil, and breathe once more the air that sweeps over these my native 
hills, where first I drew the breath of life, and learned to tempt its untried 
paths. But, above all, that which is the greatest source of joy to me on 
this occasion is the privilege of greeting once more in the flesh, of behold- 



EEMARKS BY DR. WILLIAM GROUT. ' 75 

ing the forms, and clasping the hands of a few of the surviving companions 
of my early life, who, in the good providence of God, " by reason of 
strength," have borne up against the rude elements of time, having out- 
ridden its fearful storms — and, with me have gathered here to-day to contrib- 
ute their mite to the interests of this occasion. And though worn with 
cares, and clad in the gray garniture of age, yet inspired by the memories of 
the past and the demonstrations of the present, we are young in heart, and 
feel something of the freshness and vigor, which characterized the days of 
our boyhood. 

In responding to the sentiment which has been assigned me, I am forced 
to the conclusion, Mr. President, that your committee must have had some 
knowledge of my capacity or rather m-capacity — that they took into consid- 
eration that I was but an ordinary man, like ancient Moses, slow of speech, 
and unaccustomed to public harangue, knowing little or nothing of the 
science of rhetoric, or subtle, disquisition, and altogether unskilled in the 
art of speech-making. Hence, they have called upon me to respond to a 
sentiment that needs no comment, but which is a finished oration of itself, 
full and complete in all its parts, and to which the heart of every loyal 
American citizen beats a response, and which at least finds an echo in the 
bosom of the most degenerate sons of the Revolutionary soldiers. Let me 
repeat: — "The soldiers of the Revolutionary war; though their forms have 
left us, yet their deeds still live, and their memory shall be cherished for- 
ever." Why, Mr. President, this sentiment is replete with interest, and 
though it may fail to make an orator of me, yet so far as meeting a response 
in our sympathies, it seems to me to be akin to the sentiment, " My Mother, 
God bless her for all she has done and suffered for me, her name shall be 
engraven on the tablet of my memory forever." "The forms of the Revolu- 
tionary soldiers " have indeed left us. The last one has gone down to the 
silence of the grave. They no longer mingle with us in our public cele- 
brations, as in days of yore. But this is no more true than the fact that 
" their deeds shall live," and God grant that they may never perish or cease 
to exert a moulding influence over their posterity. We cannot forget " their 
deeds," if we would, for they are inscribed as with a pen of iron, vipon the 
sacred altars, and mighty bulwarks of our nation. On every hand we see 
them cropping out in symmetrical beauty, grandeur and glory. All that we 
fondly boast of, as American citizens, our free political institutions, our civil 
and religious liberties, our cherished riglit of suffrage and all, in short, that 
distinguishes us from, and elevates us above the monarchical governments of 
the earth, giving us a name and praise throughout the civilized woi'ld, has, 
under God, been transmitted to us and our children, by the bleeding hands 
of the soldiers of the Revolutionary war. And shall they be forgotten? 
Never! No! never! Rather let us say of them, as ancient Israel did of 
Jerusalem, "If I forget thee, Oh Jerusalem ! let my right hand forget her 
cunning, and let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ! " 



76 ■ THE CENTENNIAL. 

The sundered bonds of oppression ; the riven yoke of British tyranny ; 
the freedom of speech ; the pursuit of happiness ; the exalted privilege of 
worshiping God according to the dictates of our own conscience ; our na- 
tional escutcheon ; the glorious stars and stripes — the emblem of liberty — 
triumphantly waving over us today, and which is flung to the breeze through- 
out the wide world commanding the respect of all nations, unitedly call upon 
us to hold the names of the Revolutionary soldiers in sacred and perpetual 
remembrance. 

And while we should forever cherish the memory of the Revolutionary 
soldiers, we should not be forgetful of their noble sons, who clearly demon- 
strated in the war of 1812, that they had been taught in the school of their 
fathers, and were able to defend against a foreign foe the sacred interests, 
which their sires had wrenched from the grasp of the enemy, and committed 
to their charge. 

And now, that I have digressed, permit me to trace the lineage of the 
noble brave. You will excuse me, sir, if I briefly refer to the more distant 
descendants of the Revolutionary soldiers, their grandsons, and great-grand- 
sons, who so recently, in the midst of the nineteenth century, when the 
dearest interests of our beloved country were menaced, by a most unnatural 
foe, when our cherished ship of State was tossing to and fro, on the angry 
waves of mad ambition, while alienated brothers in arms, like a blind Sam- 
son, were feeling for the pillars of our glorious republic, so nobly rallied to 
the rescue, and triumphantly bore aloft the flag of our Union, though their 
ungrateful brethren had determined to trail it in the dust. God, bless the 
loyal GRANDSONS of the Revolutionary soldiers, and characterize them with 
the sterling integrity of their illustrious predecessors. 

Mr. President, I may say in conclusion, that the sentiment before us, is 
fraught with deep and thrilling interest to every American citizen, but more 
especially perhaps to the sons, and daughters of the soldiers of the Revolu- 
tion, as they came into more immediate sympathy and contact with them. 
There are doubtless some of us here to-day, whose heads are whitened by the 
frosts of many winters, and whose eyes are dim with age, yet who can dis- 
tinctly recall, among their earliest recollections, the fact of climbing, of a 
winter's evening upon the knee, of a Revolutionary soldier — not a stranger, 
but one whom we delighted to call by the endearing name of father — and 
how, with almost breathless interest, we listened to the recital of some thrill- 
ing incident, or daring adventui'e, as it came with touching pathos from the 
lips of the veteran soldier, causing our young bosom to heave with deep emo- 
tion, as he graphically narrated the hair-breadth escapes from the missiles of 
death, or the equally dreaded clutch of the enemy. And, even now when the 
name of a Revolutionary soldier is mentioned in our hearing, the smoulder- 
ing emblems of patriotism in our bosoms, are fanned into a flame, as it brings 
to mind the tragic reminiscences of "ye olden time " when our hearts beat 
high with hope, as we fondly anticipated entering upon the full fruition of 





/9? ^ a>^a/2(yi 



L/ 




REMARKS BY J. M. BARNARD. 77 

that priceless boon — "Liberty and Independence," for which our fathers 
fought and bled. 

There is something so inspiring in the names of the Revolutionary soldiers 
that when reference is made to them in such an assembly as this, it kindles 
so much enthusiasm in our bosoms, we find it almost impossible to listen to 
the commonplace responses of an ordinary man. 

Nay, verily, even the most popular orators of the age are in dano-er of 
being silenced, while the promiscuous multitude break forth in unrestrained 
and irrepressible applause, and simultaneously call for " three times three " 
in honor and sacred memory of the de'parted soldiers of the Revolutionary 
War. 

The next sentiment was responded to by J. M. Barnard, Esq., 
of Rochester, N. Y. : 

" The Soldiers of the War of 1812 and the Mexican War — The former closed the 
mouth of the British Lion, the latter compelled Mexico to respect her obligations 
and pay her honest debts. For their sacrifices a grateful people will ever pay to 
them a tribute of respect." 

Felloio Prodigals, and Pilgrims to this Mecca Shrine of ours — Glorious 
old Acworth : 

" Where'er we go, what other lands we see, 
Our hearts untrammeled, fondly turn to thee." 

A quarter of a century ago, nearly every able bodied man in this town 
was a soldier, and enrolled in the Second or Sixth Company of the Sixteenth 
Eegiment, New Hampshire militia ; appeared regularly on parade, armed 
and equipped as the law directed, ready to learn and practice the mystic 
maneuvers and evolutions of the military art, and if need be, to go forth at 
the call of the country to meet alike the foreign invader or domestic traitor — 
whether in the harbor of Portsmouth, or on the bloody field of Lundy's 
Lane, under the gallant Scott, or with glorious old "Zack" on the neutral 
bank of the Rio Grande. 

The boys of my own age, and older, remember with what thrilling sensa- 
tions of pride and pleasure they first listened to the " ear-piercing fife, and 
the spirit-stirring drum " on training days, when we 

Gathered from the hill-sides, 

Gathered from the glen, 
Longing for the glorious time ' 

When we should all be men. 

Yes! from the frowning dominions of "Black North," from the prolific 
regions of " Grout" and " Deny Hills," from the sylvan shades of " Parks" 
and " Keyes' Hollow," and the romantic borders of Cold Pond, we came, 
the sun bronzed sons of toil, some of us, perhaps, loaded down with six and 
one quarter cents in our pockets, ready to commence tremendous raids on 



78 THE CENTENNIAL. 

cakes and candy, or gathered around tbe grand old liherty-pole, that stood 
so long, the stately sentinel, on the cap-stone of the common, the pride and 
glory of the town, from whose top floated proudly to the breeze, the same star- 
spangled banner — thank heaven, and the boys in blue — that still floats from 
the dome of the capitol, and over all the republic. 

If in after years, induced by a long period of peace and quiet, this good 
old custom became a fancied burden, and fell into disrepute, and the citizen 
soldiery, by unfriendly legislation, was suffered to decay, it only needed, 
as we have seen, the bugle blast of war, to arouse again the old military 
ardor and patriotic spirit of Town, State and Nation, and show to the world 
that though sleeping, it was by no means dead. 

Long may that spirit survive ! the spirit of '76 — and if the time shall 
ever come, when it shall find no longer here its congenial home, and shall be 
compelled from any cause, to take its farewell flight from our beloved land — 
then, and not till then, will the days of the republic be numbered. For all 
history teaches, and its humiliating lessons are being daily repeated, that no 
government, however pure and free, is safe from brutal assault, and malig- 
nant destruction, from the iron heel of the despot, or the envenomed tooth 
of treason, and that in its hour of need, there is no strong arm for its de- 
fence, but God and the soldier ; that the cannon and the musket are the 
only power on earth, that can command a peace, protect defenceless inno- 
cence, and guard the sacred citadels of the Union ; that the whole fabric of 
civil government rests upon the sword ; that the most revered constitutions, 
and wisest laws, would all lose their force, and fail in their purpose, but for 
the " power behind the throne," which compels obedience to their behests. 

But while in the governments of the old world, this overwhelming re- 
sponsibility rests in the hands of mercenary hirelings, it is the pride and 
boast of the Republic, that its citizens and its soldiers, are one. That the 
same hand which to-day hurls a bullet at the heart of its enemy, may to-mor- 
row drop gently a hallot for its friend. Ours is an army, moved and controlled 
by that emanation from the Deity, that was breathed into man with the breath 
of life, and not the mere machine that blindly follows the beck and nod of 
the despot. The patriotic aspirations of the sleek and oily citizen, as he 
treads his lordly halls, and basks in the splendor and luxury of wealth, are 
no higher, and holier, than the quivering, gasping " God bless my country," 
that moves for the last time the thin pale lips of the dying soldier. 

Fifty years ago, England, haughty and insolent in pride and power, pro- 
claiming herself "Mistress of the Seas," attempted to enforce upon the na- 
tions, and especially upon the United States, the odious and absurd dogma, 
that ^^ once a British subject, always a Briti.sh subject," claiming the right 
to press into lier land or naval forces, all persons who had the misfortune 
to be born within the limits of her dominion. It mattered not, that oppres- 
sion had driven them from their native land, how long they had lived in 
America, or how many times they had sworn to bear faith and true alio- 



EEMARKS BY J. M. BARNARD. 79 

giance to the United States, the moment they -were found on British soil, or 
even upon the "high seas," they were claimed by British officials, dragged 
from our merchant vessels on board their ships of war, and compelled to suffer 
the most brutal indignities, and death even, if they refused to light against 
that country, in which they had reared their altars, their firesides and their 
homes. 

Keraonstrance and warning by our government were alike unheeded, and 
the only alternation was war. Hence on the 19th of April, 1812, President 
Madison, authorized by Congress, and impelled by a long list of accumu- 
lated wrongs, issued the declaration. 

Looking back upon the past, and coming down to the present, where in 
all this broad land is the man who, to-day, would not hang his head in shame, 
at the thought that he ouce counseled submission to such brutal wrongs, such 
highhanded tyranny ! The idea is humiliating to the pride, and abhorrent 
to the soul of every American freeman. Yet, history, which sometimes re- 
peats ITSELF, will make us remember a Hartford convention, and that bane 
of republics, a peace party in war. 

The old around me, the living witnesses, and actors in that great drama, 
have the events of the war written indelibly on the tablets of memory. To 
the young, the historic page has made its heroic deeds, and examples of pa- 
triotic daring, as familiar as household words. The base surrender of the 
northern army at Detroit, by a timid or a traitorous leader, cast for a time a 
shadow on the land, but it was soon dispelled by the grand achievements of 
our gallant navy, and all the winter of our discontent was made glorious 
summer by the immortal Jackson, who met the enemy on the plains of New 
Orleans, and closed the war in a blaze of glory ; not only stopped the mouth 
of the British Lion, but drew his hur/e eye-teeth, and thrust them down his 
throat. 

The great object of the war was accomplished, the impressment of Ameri- 
can seamen was abandoned by the " Empress of the Sea," the rights of citi- 
zenship, as well to naturalized as to native born Americans were, secured and 
the great principle for which our government has ever contended, the right of 
expatriation — the right of a man to change his home, and his allegiance — 
firmly and forever established, and to-day the governments of Europe, under 
the lead of Prussia, have abandoned the exploded doctrines of a feudal age, 
and recognize the fact that the " Stars and Stripes" wherever they float, pro- 
tect alike the native born and adopted citizen. 

Another cycle of time is past. Another generation is upon the stage of 
action. Texas, always a "wayward sister," has seceded from Mexico. But 
not until the last lingering hope of her reconquest was extinguished in the 
bloody battle of San Jacinto, did they tell her to " depart in peace." 

The vast region between the Neuse and the Rio Grande, was indeed a land 
of terror, occupied only by predatory bands of Indians from the mountains, 
guerillas from Mexico, and bush-whackers from the Texan border. Owing 



80 THE CENTENNIAL. 

to the generally mixed condition of affairs in Mexico — one, military chieftain 
to-day and another to-morrow — the important question of boundary between 
the two countries had never been finally adjusted, and when the annexation 
of Texas to the United States had been consummated, it became at once the 
right, as well as the duty, of the latter to extend its protecting care over its 
new domain, and put in process of speedy settlement, all questions of bound- 
ary. To accomplish this object, and with no thought of invading the sacred 
soil of jMexico, Gen. Taylor, with a small force of the United States army, 
was sent in the spring of 1845 towards the Rio Grande. Before reaching 
his destination, the flower of the Mexican army, led by its most famous gen- 
erals, exulting in its vast superiority of numbers, and smarting under former 
defeats with Texans, determined to redeem, if possible, its fast waning mili- 
tary glory, by, as they thought, the nice little arrangement of " gobbling up 
old Zack." How true it is, 

" The best laid schemes of mice and men, aft gang agley." 

The news of the battle flashed over the land ! the tocsin of alarm was 
everywhere sounded ! "American blood has been spilled on American soil." 
By the act of Mexico, war existed. All unexpected, it came like a clap of 
thunder from a cloudless sky, and startled again the half-sleeping sentinels 
on the watch-towers of freedom. Then there was hurrying to and fro, and 
mustering in hot haste. The army of occupation was in danger; and 
henceforth, bearing aloft, the streaming banner, inscribed with '^Indemnity 
for the past, security for the future^'' the flag of the North soon floated not 
only over Palo Alto and Resaca, but over Monterey, Buena Vista, Tampico, 
San Juan, Vera Cruz, National Bridge, Cerro Gordo, Jalapa, Perote, Pue- 
bla, Chepultipec, Molino del Key, and the Halls of the Montezumas. In one 
continued series of victories without a single defeat, the soldiers of the Re- 
public, bore in triumph the flag of the free, until Castilian pride was humbled, 
Mexican cruelty, treachery, and duplicity duly punished, indemnity for oft- 
repudiated obligations secured, and ample guarantees for future good conduct 
obtained. 

It may be, that their existence as a nation, was finally saved by their in- 
veterate habit of non-payment. For, with the national life in the strong 
grasp of Gen. Scott, they surrendered, rather than pay the debt of nature. 

Of the results of that contest which has enabled our country to make its 
giant strides in material greatness, I will only mention one, the acquisi- 
tion of California, the richest gem in the coronet of the Union, and the 
consequent building of the great Pacific Railroad, the grandest highway 
yet created for the grand march of commerce, and civilization around the 
world. Here in New England you have not yet begun to realise the mag- 
nitude of that most wonderful achievement of the nineteenth century. But 
its influence is already felt with terrible earnestness in the growing West, 
that magical realm, where if you but " tickle the land with a plough, it 



REMARKS BY REV. AMOS FOSTER. 81 

laughs with a harvest." It is to them as though a mighty river — another 
" Father of Waters," had just been discovered, having its sources in the up- 
per Mississippi, and flowing directly towards the setting sun, — rcndin"- 
mountains asunder, — pouring its turbid waters into the broad bosom of the 
Pacific. It opens up to them a choice of markets, for their vast products, 
between Western Europe via New York, and New Orleans, and the opulent 
East, the millions of China and Japan. A free and easy outlet, cheap 
and ready transportation is the great desideratum, the' vital necessity of that 
stupendous grain-field. What wonder then that her gallant sons swept away, 
as with a besom of destruction, every barrier planted by treason, upon the 
banks or vipon the bosom of the sacred river, their own consecrated highway 
to the Gulf and Ocean. "Its free commerce forever," was an ordinance of 
nature. To defy it was to defy the will of heaven. As soon attempt to 
dam its waters with bulrushes, as to stop its free navigation again. 

Manifest Destiny, backed by the soldier has given us a most mao-nificent 
country, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the inland oceans 
of the north, to the sparkling surface of the tropical seas, embracino- all 
earth's variety of soil, climate and production. Our Revolutionary Fathers 
severed the bonds that held us British subjects, made us American sovereigns, 
and gave us the noblest form of government the world has ever known. But 
it remained for Washington and his heroes of the battle-field to establish and 
secure, — for Jackson and Taylor with their braves to protect and defend, and 
for the glorious soldiers of the Union army to preserve and perpetuate. 

Can posterity profane such a record, or foil in its profoundest gratitude to 
those who periled their lives to make it ? No ! whatever may be the faults 
of the American people, however bitter may be the rage of partisan rancor, 
denunciation and hate ; they never yet have failed, and I trust in God they 
never will fail, to duly honor and reward the faithful soldier of the Republic, 
to crown with the civil wreath the laureled brow, and cherish with kindest 
care,, and noblest charity, each war-scarred veteran, and hero-orphaned child. 

" For gold the merchant plows the main, 

The farmer plows the manor, 
But glory is the sodger's praise, 

The sodger's wealth is honor. 
The brave, poor sodger ne'er despise, 

Nor count him as a stranger, 
Remember he's his country's stay, 

In day and hour of danger." 

The fifth sentiment, " To the memory of the late Rev. Phlnehas 
Cooke," was responded to by Eev. Amos Foster, President of the 
Day: , 

Ladies and Gentlemen : — IMy acquaintance with Mr. Cooke commenced 
in the winter of 1819-20, and it was my privilege to be on terms of intimacy 
11 



82 THE CENTENNIAL. 

with him, till witliin a few years of his death. I knew him well in private 
life, in the domestic circle, in the social relations, in the meeting for prayer, 
and in the public religious assembly. And to enjoy the acquaintance of such 
a man is a privilege which any one might highly value. 

The remarks now made, are rather for the sake of the beloved youth of 
Acworth, than of those in more advanced life. A few yet survive, who knew 
Mr. Cooke as well, perhaps better than myself. IMany more there are in 
this place who knew hiin not, only as they have heard his name oft repeated, 
as a sort of household word, in the families in which they have been trained. 
It is befitting, then, on their account, as well as the interesting occasion on 
which we have assembled, that something should be said of one who exerted 
so large an influence in forming the character of the town. 

On meeting the individual of whom we speak, for the first time, one would 
be especially struck by his physical appearance. He was tall, well propor- 
tioned and symmetrical in form. His motions were graceful, his aspect mild 
and winning, his voice full and sonorous, and his whole manner such as at 
once to gain your confidence, respect and esteem. No one could long feel 
himself a stranger in his presence. In eonversation he was varied, interest- 
ing and instructive. While at times he indulged in a vein of pleasantry, he 
never for a moment forgot his position as a minister of Christ, and his words 
were always such as to show that he felt the weight of the cause which it was 
his great object to promote. 

Some one has said, " He who observes remarkable events, shall have re- 
markable events to observe." In Mr. Cooke, might be seen a striking illus- 
tration of this remark. He closely watched the operations of Providence, 
and it was interesting to notice how, from these he was constantly drawing 
lessons, by which he was guided in the duties of practical life. And to illus- 
trate his ideas of Providence, he was ever ready to relate some anecdote (and 
his mind was stored with them) which, while it would interest and instruct 
the bearers, would impress them with his own convictions of an unseen 
hand, in all events that transpire. 

When, therefore, we consider his noble and commanding presence, his 
agreeable manners, his ready utterance, his musical voice, and his rich and 
varied conversation, by which both the mind and heart might be made better, 
we may justly denominate him the truly " Christian Gentleman." 

Reference has been made to the influence of Mr. Cooke in forming the 
character of the town. I think, ladies and Gentlemen, that all who were 
acquainted with the facts will agree with me, that that influence was by no 
means inconsiderable. He was the third pastor of the Congregational Church, 
and commenced his labors, in circumstances, which rendered it easy, with a 
Divine blessing, to mould the moral elements into a desirable state. He was 
ordained September 7, 1814. The services were held in the open air, at- 
tended by a very large concourse of people. His pastorate continued between 
fourteen and fifteen years. He enjoyed the affection and confidence of his 



EEMAEKS BY REV. AMOS FOSTER. 83 

people in a higli degree, as was evident from the large numbers wbo attended 
upon his ministry. They were pre eminently a church-going people. From 
every direction on Sabbath morning, might be seen men, women and chil- 
dren, wending their way to the house of God, and it was full ! There they 
were, old and young, devoutly listening to the words of life, as they fell from 
the lips of the man of God. Thus, year after year, did he imj^art to them, 
lessons of heavenly wisdom, which in many cases were treasured in good and 
honest hearts, and who can estimate the influence of those lessons in forminor 

c 

the character of the people ? 

But the influence of Mr. Cooke was not confined to the pulpit. He was 
the faithful and devoted pastor, as well as the able and instructive preacher. 
The families that constituted his charges were often favored with his pres- 
ence, and he was never an unwelcome visitor. He knew how to adapt his 
counsels and instructions to the diiFerent circumstances of those whom he met. 
The aged and the young, the rich and the poor, the sorrowful and the joyful — 
all alike shared his sympathies, his kind wishes and his prayers, and he left 
behind him an influence for good, on all who were disposed rightly to im- 
prove it. Nor was the influence of Mr. Cooke confined. to his own ijnmcdi- 
ate parish. It was felt through the surrounding towns and through the State, 
so that to the name of Eev. Mr. Cooke of Acworth, was attached an idea of 
respectability and usefulness in the cause of religion which the names of com- 
paratively few carry with them. On all public religious occasions, his pres- 
ence was always greeted with pleasure, and he wielded a power hardly second 
to any one else. It is an honor to the town that such a mau once lived and 
moved among the people. 

Leaving Acworth in 1829, he was installed over tlie church and society 
in Lebanon, N. H. After a successful pastorate of nineteen years, he was 
dismissed and removed to Amherst, Mass., to spend his last days. Here, 
however, he was not idle. He continued to preach as occasion required, and 
labored in various other ways, to serve his Lord and Master. His death 
took place in Amherst, April 28, 1853, in his seventy-second year. During 
his sickness, he was entirely resigned to the will of his heavenly Father ; and 
the same religion, which, for so many years, he had urged upon others, was 
his solace and comfort in the departing hour. 

Permit me to add, am.id all the scenes through which he passed after leav- 
ing Acworth, he could not forget the people of his early espousals. He 
cherished them in an affectionate and grateful remembrance, and one of 
his last requests was, that his remains might be conveyed to Acworth and 
find their resting-place, among his former friends and parishioners. His re- 
quest was complied with, and the noble monument, reared by the hands of 
affection and friendship, marks the spot where his ashes will sleep till the 
glorious morning of the resurrection. With emotions unutterable, have I 
stood at the head of that grave and called to mind the virtues of the man 
who slumbers there. 



84 THE CENTENNIAL. 

And though dead, he yet speaks. He speaks ia the bright example he 
set, still fresh in the minds of some who hear me, in the cherished remem- 
brances of him which we are permitted to recall this day, and in the wide 
influence he exerted, which ceases not to be felt for good, in respect to the 
intelligence, the morals and the religion of this town. He speaks to the 
aged, to the middle aged, and the young, to the vast crowd assembled here, 
and admonishes all to do with their might, what their hands find to do, serv- 
ing God and their generation faithfully, that they may be prepared for the 
great exchange so near at hand. 

The following ode was then sung by the choir and audience : 

ODE. 

TvNE.— America. 

Our father's God ! "We raise 
To Him a song of praise ; 

Our tribute bring. 
A hundred years doth prove, 
By mercies from above 
The wisdom and the love 

Of God our King. 

Remembrance loves to dwell 
On light and shade, which fell 

On hopes and fears. 
The storied past we trace, 
Search records old apace,- 
In mem'ry's glass we gaze 

Through by-gone years. 

The mem'ry of our sires, 
Lit by affections' fires, 

How bright it glows ! 
Men of a sterling mould, 
Outweighing all the gold, 
In fairy tales e'er told 

To soothe our woes. 

Our dear old town ! How grand 
The views of mountain land, 

Which here we meet. 
We love these rugged hills, 
These vales our fathers tilled, 
These woods the wild birds filled 

With carols sweet. 

Here, we were taught His Name, 
And why a (Saviour came 



ODE— REaiARKS BY DR. A. R. GUMMING S. 85 

Peace, joy to bring. 
Here, at the eventide. 
And by a mother's side 
Lessons, we've learned, which bide 

Beyond life's spring. 

Our native town ! How dear 
Each purling brook so clear, 

Each dale and steep. 
But there's a dearer spot, 
Than rock, or rill, or cot, 
AVhich ne'er can be forgot — 

Where loved ones sleep. 

The dead ! Our buried dead ! 
Within their em 'raid bed 

Unmoved they lie. 
Loved forms, we've oft caressed, 
Dear ones, who gave life zest, 
Life's labors o'er — they rest. 

Unconsciously. 

And when our spirits wait, 
Before the pearly gates, 

(No joy like this — ) 
May each this plaudit hear ; 
Servant well done. Nor tear, 
Nor sin, nor parting here — 

But endless bliss. 

The followincr sentiment was responded to by Dr. A. R. Cum- 
mings of Claremont : 

" Our Native Physicians — Partaking of the nature of their ancestors, success lias 
crowned their efforts." 

Mr. President and Fellow- Citizens : — I am one of the favored seventeen 
jjhysicians who drew their first inspiration from the hills and dales of this 
our native town. 

Dr. Theopbilus Wilson, one of your distinguished sons, eminent in his 
profession, settled at Cazenovia, N. Y.; there he died, and was buried iu his 
adopted town. 

He was succeeded by Dr. Jonathan Silsby, also a native of Acworth. He 
was a ripe scholar. He also died at Cazenovia. 

Dr. John Hemphill, son of Joseph Hemphill, is now living on the banks 
of the Ohio River. 

Dr. William Grout, son of William Grout, is now an active practitioner in 
Loraine County, Ohio. He had the largest practice iu the county in 1850; 
is an eminent citizen and an active Christian man. 



86 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Dr. Milton Parker resides in Chicago, 111. He was the first man in Sulli- 
van County that diagnosed diseases of the chest by auscultation and percus- 
sion. He is a man of wealth, and is an eminent surgeon in Chicago. 

Dr. Nedora L. Angier of Atlanta, Ga., has been a successful practi- 
tioner in his adopted State, has accumulated a large fortune, and is well 
known throughout the South as a politician and an active business man. 

Dr. Joseph Woodbury, vSon of Joseph Woodbury, is a practicing physician 
in Georgia. 

Drs. James Wilson, Joel Angier, Isaac Gates, Phinehas Cooke and Os- 
borne Brown, I do not know their personal history. 

Dr. Hiram Clark, son of Capt. Robert Clark, died in Kansas. He was 
a scholar, and very much of a gentleman. 

Dr. Milton P. Hayward is an active practitioner in Oberlin, Ohio. 

Last, but not by any means least, we have our two army surgeons. Dr. 
N. Grout Brooks, son of Dr. Lyman Brooks, who enlisted as surgeon in the 
Sixteenth Vermont Begiment. He served his country in her hour of peril, 
in her hospitals and on the tented fields to the entire satisfaction of his supe- 
rior ofiicers. Dr. Sylvester Campbell, son of Horace Campbell, enlisted as 
surgeon in the Sixteenth New Hampshire Begiment. He died in a military 
hospital in Louisiana, a triumphant Christian death, and we have no doubt 
he is now praising God, with all the heavenly hosts. He was called the 
"good physician." His remains were brought to Acworth, and now lie 
mouldering in your cemetery. 

Fathers and mothers, with palpitating hearts, you call these your sons, 
and well do they deserve the name, for they took their lives in their hands 
and went foi'th from your " Granite Hills " to relieve suffering humanity, and 
well have they fulfilled their mission. 

These, your sons, are known on the shores of the Great Northern Lakes, 
and at the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Bocky Moun- 
tains. These are some of the brightest stars in the medical profession. 
Their efforts have been crowned with success, they have gained for them- 
selves lasting glory. 

The next sentiment was responded to by Eev. George Cooke of 
Winchester, Mass. : 

" The Sons and Daughters of Acworth — Tlicy do honor to every profession, manifest 
skill in every trade, add grace to the home-circle, and are to he found in every section 
of our country." 

3Ir. President : — Called upon to respond to a sentiment so complimentary 
to the sons and daughters of Acworth, it would be very grateful to me to 
refer to chapter and page, bearing records of their history, or, at least, through 
intimate personal acquaintance, to be able to trace individuals, from their 
birth and childhood, amid these beautiful hills, through the school, the col- 



EEMAEKS BY EEV. GEORGE COOKE. 87 

lege, the profession or the workshop, the business house, or that gi-andest, 
jmrcst, safest, l)est of all occupations, the ploughing, sowing, reaping work, 
which is nearest to nature, and truest to her unadulterated nobility. Nothing 
could be more grateful to one, intelligent in this history, appreciative of the 
toils, the waitings, and the conquests of worthy action, and sympathetic in 
the details of personal progress, than to dwell at least upon the salient points 
iu the lives of these "honorable," "skillful" and "graceful" sons and 
daughters of our native town. 

Personally only an adopted son, and having passed here but the bri6f portion 
of my childhood, between the ages of three and sixteen, I am grateful for the 
honor of an invitation to speak at all, among my betters, at this family meeting. 
This adoption derives significance, however, from the fact of my father's rela- 
tions to this community during the period of its development into one of the 
most substantial and prosperous towns in this Commonwealth. Many here to- 
day will unite with me in the reflection, that no one would have entered into 
the festivities and reminiscences of this occasion (could he have lived to see it) 
more heartily, tenderly, joyously, yet devoutly, than my own revered father. 

With inspiration from this reflection, I cannot feel that I am out of place 
or that I have nothing to say, while permitted to stand among you, recog- 
nized as a son of Acworth When De Quincy had attained his high 

literary reputation, a friend requested of him a few of the facts of his early 
history, briefly and chronologically stated. The substance of his reply was 
that the world were chiefly concerned with what he became, and it mattered 
little that the inevitable facts of birth, nursery and school-life, of the robbery 
of orchards, and the catalogue of common incidents usually summoned to 
explain how he became a man, should all be assumed^ taken for granted, and 
omitted from history as simply impertinent. And that it might be further 
assumed that the race of youngsters might be divided into two grand classes, 
those who would aspire to be hanged, and those who would content them- 
selves with deserving to be. 

Such a sentiment may seem shockingly out of harmony with a centennial 
celebration, yet something is suggested, which partially reduces the crisp and 
saucy language of De Quincy. We are not so dependent, as we may some- 
times think, upon the details of personal history in the measurement of char- 
acter and its origin. Who needs the diary of the life of an oak ? or even to 
wait until the woodman's axe has revealed the rings which mark its annual 
progress from the acorn to matuiity. The first leaf must have been that of 
an oak ; the branch must have been true to its origin ; the sturdy trunk and 
broad spreading top, occasionally seen, even if at intervals of many years, 
inform us fully of the character of the tree and the nature of the soil which 
could have produced it. The lilies of the meadow, similarly proclaim the 
fitness of their birth and culture, the fidelity to nature's laws, which has per- 
fected and glorified their beauty. 

The elements of muscle and character found on such high, round and fer- 



88 TIIE CENTENNIAL. 

tile hills, interlaced with silver streams, enameled with nature's purest em- 
erald, where the school and the church are worked with the industry and 
fidelity required of the plough and the hoe, — where the family altar sanctifies 
the heavenly-appointed domestic relations, — where the deep things of na- 
ture and of religion possess the intellect and the heart, all-invigorating, 
chastening, quickening, ennobling powers, — on such a field, with such adju- 
tants, the elements of physical and moral manhood must thrive. 

It is a bounty of nature and Providence to be born upon ground like this, 
here to be brought into struggles, even it may be, for food and clothing, — here 
to be buffeted by physical hardships, bent and swayed by strong winds, — 
here to do battle with the real, long before the seductive incomings of the 
ideals of the more frivolous fashionable life can color the fountains of thought 

and wholesome passion It is a blessing which many a son and 

daughter of Acworth, in distant fields, has learned gratefully to recognize, 
to have had their lives anchored here. 

The sentiment which the committee have prepared for us, requires us to 
indulge in a little self-adulation, as the sons and daughters, who have (in the 
text) so honored their home. Hence we are fairly entitled to say, this, our 
birthplace, is the home of the oak, a little rough and shaggy in its dress, 
but having — what a trunk ! What strong arms 1 What might and majesty 
of character I This, too, is the home of the fresh, cool, trim, symmetrical 
beach, a tree to wear modestly the most exquisitely fashioned and delicately 
tinted foliage in early summer, and to stand its ground, in easy defiance of 
all the blasts of winter. Of the maple, and whether it be hard or soft, tall 
or short, with fibres straight and of milky whiteness, or curled and twisted 
' into fantastic figures, with the hues of an angry hardihood, still yields inex- 
haustible stores of sweetness and beauty, ever dispensing consolations and 
gathering glories unrivaled to its final coronation. Nor must we forget that 
it is also the home of the pliant, tough, magisterial birch, which stands in 
convenient proximity to our school houses, to remind us of lessons necessary 
to the grand dignities of life, and to suggest better than patented medicine, 
for all vices and rebellions. 

It is only such hard woods as these that can combine strength and beauty 
of finish. In character the material must be first of all, of sufficient firmness, 
sound at the heart, and built up with no loose or soft integument, in order 
that the friction of contact with strong men, the sand-paper chafing of jeal- 
ous rivals, the steel-burnishing of social criticism, and the final, most delicate 
touches of art and grace may bring out a substantial, pure, brilliant, perfect man 
or woman. Why, then, should not the starting point be such ground as this ? 
"" Fifty years ago, when my father had trained me to " speak a piece," he 
selected for that purpose these lines of Pope commencing, 

'* 'Tis from high life, higli characters are drawn, 
A saint in crajie, is twice a saint in lawn." 



EEMARKS BY REV. GEORGE COOKE — SONG. 89 

He brought me forward at the school visitations, to speak the piece, perhaps 
as an example of a hoy's duty in the feiattcr of school declamation. On 
one occasion at the school-house on Derry Hill, I had among my auditors 
Captain Dickey, whose massive, astute Scotch character is still remembered 
well among us, and after my boyish spouting, he called me to him, laid his 
broad hand upon my head, and with a voice so grand and impressive that it 
still rings in my ears, said, " Me little mon ! d'ye understand what you've 
spoken?" My feeble response was, "yes sir." " And d'ye believe it?" 
" I don't know sir " — " Don't ye know it's a lie " ? I was too much fright- 
ened to answer and he continued with an energy of utterance few men ever 
equalled, "My mon, never d'ye believe ony nonsense the like o' that little 
speech ! I tell ye a men's a mon wherever ye find him." 

The following song composed by Mrs. M. L. Silsby Johnson, 
was now sung by the choir. 

OUR ACWORTH HOME. 

Tvi'iE—Brattlestreet. 
Amid New Hampshire's thousand bills — 

Which stud its surface o'er ; 
That ope their hearts to crystal rills. 

And bend to lakelet shore — 
Encradled safe, by rocks, and trees, 

O'erspread with splendent dome ; 
Refreshed and charmed with purest breeze — 

Is our Dear Acworth Home. 

Bright are its snows, as moonlight beams, 

When met by sunrise sheen ; 
Its verdure now, in beauty seems, 

As part of Eden's green. 
And some who rest in battle mound, 

And 'neath the light sea-foam ; 
Their last heart-yearnings centered round 

This Pleasant Acworth Home. 

Its hills are set with beryl bright, 

A royal hall would grace; 
And crystals clear as limped light, 

Just touched with golden trace. 
To gems that crown a monarch's head, 

Our eyes will careless roam ; 
With loyal hearts, we prouder tread 

Our Jeweled Acworth Home. 

The dew falls here, in tears at eve. 

On graves of those we love ; 
And we, who at their stillness grieve, 

Keep watch and ward above. 
12 



90 THE CENTENNIAL. 

Now they look down through starry eyes, 

On all the paths we come, 
And know, how near to Heaven now lies 

Their Olden Acworth Home. 

The sentiment, ^^ Sons of Acivorili — Graduates^ of Dartmouth 
and other Colleges,^'' was responded to by Prof. Hiram Orcutt, 
Principal of Tilden Female Seminary, West Lebanon, N. H. : 

Mr. President : — I speak in behalf of comparatively few of the sons of 
Acworth. Of all who have been born during these hundred years, less than 
thirty have graduated from any of our colleges. In point of numbers, 
therefore, we are an unimportant class. But I would not speak of ourselves, 
but in defence of the college, against the prejudice which is met in almost 
every community, and is a source of discouragement to those, who would 
pursue a liberal course of study. 

"The college," it is said, "is an aristocratic institution, and those who re- 
sort to it are " too indolent to work." No criticism was ever more false or un- 
just. Indolence finds no rest or comfort within college walls. If, " too lazy 
to work," the young man would seek any other course of life, rather than 
come under the severe discipline, and endure the exhausting labor which the 
college imposes and demands." 

And there is no institution in the nation, whose influence reaches and 
blesses so many families and individuals as the American College. This 
beneficial influence is brought to bear directly upon th^ people, through the 
learned professions. The college creates and sustains the professions of Law, 
Medicine, Teaching and the Gospel Ministry. Hence all the benefits re- 
sulting from the professional and personal labors of these educated men, flow 
directly from the college. 

Again, the college is the source of all the lower grades of schools. Com- 
mon schools, never have, never will and never can flourish, without the col- 
lege. Our fathers j^rsi planted the college and afterwards public schools. 
The latter flowed from the former, as streams from the fountain. This ele- 
vating influence always descends from the higher to the lower, never ascends 
from the lower to the higher. The profounder learning of the college, gives 
tone and sentiment to the public mind, and nourishes and sustains popular 
education among the masses. The college matures and develops the science 
which is learned in our elementary schools, and educates, directly or indirectly, 
all our teachers, and authors in every department of learning. The "Ele- 
mentary Spelling Book " for instance, requires all the discipline and knowl- 
edge the college can impart, to compose and adapt it to its use. 

An English periodical once spoke of Daniel Webster, as the great Amer- 
ican statesman and the author of "Webster's Dictionary." Mr. Webster 
in referring to the blunder soon afterwards, sportively remarked, " I the au- 
thor of Webster's Dictionary ! Why, I could not have made Webster's 





'^nu^^t^c^^ ( ^yT^e^ 



REMARKS BY PROF. IIIRAM ORCUTT. 91 

Spelling Book." And this was true, as he had not devoted himself to this 
department of learning. And yet millions of our countrymen have obtained 
the first elements of their education from this single book. And the maps 
and charts in daily use in our common schools could not be made by one in a 
thousand of all our public teachers. They require the highest mathematical 
knowledge and skill for their construction. And hence it is true, that the 
college produces and sustains our Common Schools, Academies and Semina- 
ries. They would not have existed, and could not long be sustained without 
the college. 

Then it must follow that all our sons, and daughters are college educated. 
This higher Institution has allured them forward, and helped them onward. 
It is the fountain whose streams irrigate and fertilize the whole community. 

Some of your sons have followed up the stream only to the common 
school. Others have stopped at the Academy, and still others have gone 
further, and drank at the college spring, and whatever the amount Of learning 
they have obtained, either from school or from books, it is a collegiate educa- 
tion. And it is frequently true that " self-made men," (indeed every man 
is self-made who is made at all,) who have never entered college, receive from 
it more benefit than others, who have enjoyed all its advantages. We are 
then indebted to the college indirectly, for all that pertains to our Christian 
civilization. 

Shall we reject the ocean because we are not engaged in navigation, or 
because we cannot fill our dish directly from the sea ? Shall we be satisfied 
with the rain that distills so gently upon the fields, and the spring that gushes 
from the hill-side? These daily supply our wants, but whence comes the 
water which falls from the clouds, and supplies the springs and streams, so 
necessary for the comfort and existence of man ? Without the ocean we 
could have no rain, no springs, no rills, no rivulets, no rivers. And so the 
college. Dry up this fountain, and the streams of knowledge would soon 
be dry also. Our public schools would be closed, instruction would cease, 
and ere long our civilization would give place to semi-barbarism. 

Shall we blot out the sun from the Heavens, because we enjoy but little 
of its direct light, and influence ? We may be satisfied with twilight and 
moonshine, the mere refractions and reflections of the glorious luminary of 
day. But the sun is the source of all light. Extinguish that and total 
darkness would ensue. So of the college, as the source of moral and intel- 
lectual light. Destroy this luminary and the darkness of ignorance, supersti- 
tion, and barbarism would in time cover the nation as a black mantle. 

And still again, the farmer and mechanic are dependent upon the college 
for the science of their arts. The implements and tools in common use, 
could never have been constructed, without the aid of a high degree of sci- 
entific knowledge. Mere skill and experience could never make the modern 
plow, or axe. What improvements during the last hundred years ! The 
man, who should be found using the plow of fifty years ago, would be re- 



92 THE CENTENNIAL. 

garded as almost a barbarian. Compare tbe axe of to-day witli the stone 
hatchet of the North American Indian. No living white man could make 
that stone hatchet. It was the highest reach of human skill unaided by 
science. 

And even the arts, which science has already invented would die out 
without the continued aid of the college. The Pyramids and Temples of 
Egypt have survived the science and skill which erected them. And China, 
where science was cultivated age? ago, has made no progress in the arts since 
science died out. All improvement is at a stand still, as a natural conse- 
quence. " Science is the fountain of art ; experience and skill are its chan- 
nels." Dry up the fountain and the channels will no longer be filled. 

Judge ye, therefore, whether your sons who have pursued a collegiate and 
professional course of life, are worthy of their noble parentage, and have 
done honor or dishonor to their native town. 

The next sentiment, was responded to by George E. Brown, 
Esq., of Newport, and was as follows: 

" Our Common Schools — A iioLle legacy, bequeathed to us by our ancestors. To 
their success, has tlie town been much indebted for its prosperty. May it be their 
good fortune/to continue to grow in excellence, till none but model ones are to be 
found to bless oui* native town." 

3Ir. President: — I have a mind to make the most popular speech of the 
day, that is, say nothing, but since the occasion is one of a hundred years, 
and the sentiment tendered mo is one of much gravity, I will waive the 
greatest brevity, Shakespeare's " soul of wit," and claim your indulgence a 
few moments. Not having time, to elaborate upon the good and ill, the 
merit amd demerit attending our schools, I must proceed to the point at once. 

Our common schools ! what are they ? Institutions established by law for 
the education of our youth. That our system of common schools was trans- 
mitted to us by our ancestors, we are happy to acknowledge, that in our 
schools we all received instruction in the rudiments of learning, is a fact we 
each can testify from experience. 

The present improved state of society is the legi:imate effects of some power- 
ful salutary cause ; and that cause is principally our common schools. Pub- 
lic prosperity, private happiness, the price of liberty, the security of life and 
prosperity and the social condition, in a free country like ours, depend 
chiefly upon the intelligence of the people. The truth of this proposition is 
so evident, that no process of reasoning or demonstration can make it plainer ; 
thorefore, it is an axiom, and established principle in the art of all good gov- 
ernments. Where do the ^Jco/;^e receive the principal and most difficult part 
of their learning? History answers "at the common schools." " They are 
the college of the masses." Our academies, and institutions dedicated to 
the use of students acquiring a knowledge of the languages and sciences, 
are the exception, and comparatively few attend them. Could they flourish 



REMARKS BY GEORGE R. BROWN, ESQ. 93 

as they now do, without the aid of our schools? Arc they more important? 
and do they do more for education ? 

In our highest institutions four years complete a course ; in our academies 
three years ; while a course in our common schools involves many years of 
hard study and patient drilling. Without the one, the others, as now con- 
ducted, would be of no value whatever, for it is impossible in ascending the 
" Hill of Science," to leap upon some towering cliff at a single bound; the 
ascent must be slow and gradual. The pupil goes to school, at first unlet- 
tered. He is a mass of mind and matter united — the material or block from 
which the intelligent man is to be hewn. The form is wanting, but the 
teacher, like the sculptor plying his chisel faithfully, carves that form, a 
living statue, the figure of a man, clad in the costly habiliments of learning. 
Though well clad, he is not yet robed in the gold embroidered, royal purple, 
for our colleges claim only to weave the texture whereon the ornaments 
are wrought, in other words, claim only to help the student to make a good 
preparation to educate himself. 

In literature there is a maxim, often quoted to encourage scholars, that the 
"beginning is half the work." Admitting this truth, our common schools, 
being the beginning, are equal in importance to the academies and colleges, 
where one is fortunate enough to receive the benefit of all. But to the mil- 
lions who receive no advantages additional to those afforded by our common 
schools, the benefit is incomparable. Wheresoever persons migrating from 
these wind swept hills have located, they are the " bone and muscle of 
society." Educated, by the discipline of our schools, with their native genius 
and their characteristic resolute will, they are enabled to take a leading part 
in any community. Then, hail to our common schools. Let us echo the 
sentiment in thunder tones thrbughoiit the town, " may it be their good future 
to continue to grow in excellence, till none but model ones are to be found." 

The following sentiment was responded to by Thomas Clark, 
Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fifty-Seventh Eegiment of Ohio Vol- 
unteers, but a report of his remarks has not been received by the 
compiler : 

" The Soldiers of the Late War — Eor the honor of the Nation, the- supremacy of the 
Constitution, and tlie integrity of the Union, they left their quiet homes, endured 
tlie privations of tlie camp, and M'ith heroic courage laid down their lives. May the 
flag they fouglit to save, forever float with ne'er a star obliterated from its folds." 

The following " Parting Invocation," composed by Mrs. M. L. 
Silsby Johnson, was now sung : 

PARTING INVOCATION. 

Tune—" Old Hundred." 

Lead us O Lord ; Thou art Divine : 
Lead us who bear the kindred sign, 



94 THE CENTENNIAL. / 

Whicli gathers us with joy to trace 
Thy blessings on our native place. 

Lead us to homes of earthly love ; 
Lead us, to that best home above, 
( Where centuries bear each kindred throng, 

To celebrate Thy praise in song. 

" Praise God from whom all blessings flow ; 
Praise him all creatures here below ; 
Praise him above, ye heavenly host ; 
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." 

The exercises at the table were interspersed, and closed with 
music by the bands in attendance. The sun which had hid his 
face through the day, now looked out pleasantly upon the depart- 
ing multitude. 

Several sentiments were not responded to for want of time, but 
the "responses" have been sent in, by request, for publication. 

" The Native Dentists — Pre-eminent in tins profession, they have taken away 
many of tlie aches of decajdng nature, and added beauty to the liuman face." 

-"'r^ Dr. E. G. Cummings of Concord, has responded to this senti- 
ment as follows: 

Mr. Preside7it and Fi'iends : — It is a source of great satisfaction and 
pleasure to me, to meet so many of my old acquaintances and friends here 
to-day, and as I look upon their smiling faces, my mind reverts to the time 
when the cares, struggles and issues of human life were unknown to many 
of us. It must be gratifying indeed to the people of Acworth to meet so 
many of licr sons and daughters, who have come from the East and the West, 
the North and the South, to congratulate them upon this occasion. 

I am proud to stand here to-day upon the soil of my native town, a ^ repre- 
sentative of that great profession, which but a few years ago was weak and 
small, but now has become mighty and strong among the professions of the 
land. I think Acworth has given more of her sons to the dental profession 
than any other town in the State, and I know she gave the first student to a 
Dental College from the State of New Hampshire. 
_, Six sons of Acworth have given themselves to this profession, viz : D. A. 
/ Cummings, Horace Parker, W. Milton Smith, John Dickey and Ers-*^ 
! kine Dickey. It is not necessary for me to speak of them individually, as 
time will not permit, but they have all been successful in their profession, and 
I am proud to say they have honored their native town. 

I should not feel that I had fulfilled my duty at this time, if I did not say 
one word to the memory of one of our number, who has left this world of 





A^/7 




^^^-.?-^':^^^^-^^>^ 



KEMAEKS BY DK. E. G. CUMMINGS AND KEY. II. HOUSTON. 95 

trial and care. I refer to Dr. John Dickey, son of T. M. Dickey. He I 

studied his profession in New York city ; was a young man whom we looked 
upon as eminently fitted for the profession which he had chosen. His dispo- 
sition was mild and genial, and he was endowed with great mechanical powers, 
and we doubt not that, had he lived, he would have ranked high in his pro- 
fession. But God "who seeth not as man seeth," hath taken him to his 
resting-place. 

Mr. President, you say we have removed many of the aches and pains 
of decaying nature, and have added beauty and symmetry to the human 
face. We claim that we have done all this, and even more. We have 
hid from view that organ within the oral cavity, which, in a toothless 
mouth, looks more like a toad striving to relieve himself from the jaws of 
an enemy. 

By the aid of dentures and other appliances, we have also prevented in 
the mouth of many an old maid and old bachelor, many a collision of the 
under jaw with the proboscis, which might have created serious disturbances 
in their lonely life. 

Rev. Hiram Houston of Deer Island, Maine, responded as 
follows to this sentiment : 

" The several Churches and Religious Societies of Aacorth — Beacon lights on the 
ocean of Hfe ; they cheer the weary pilgrim on life's troubled sea, and guide him to 
the harbor of rest." 

Mr. President : — I suppose it is the purpose of every church and religious 
seciety to do all it can to relieve the sorrows of this life, and as much as 
possible to prepare man for a better life in the world to come. This being 
the case, every church and religious society occupies an important place in 
the history of towns and communities. Not less in Acworth than in other 
places. For a hundred years, pilgrims in their journey to another world, 
have been cheered on by the Christian hope. The early settlers of the town 
knew that the preached Gospel, sustained by religious societies, was the grand 
instrument in the needed work of preparing men for the better world. And 
that all might enjoy this means of grace, they laid the foundation of tlie 
church at the center of the town. No sandy foundation here. The winds 
and the floods beat upon the house, yet still it stands on its lofty 
eminence. Many weary travelers to the Celestial City have turned their 
steps to this hill of Zion. They have found it good to " sit together in 
heavenly places in Christ Jesus," and then they have gone, on their way 
rejoicing until they entered the pearly gates, and mingled in the songs of 
angel minstrels. 

Though this central church has been the principal beacon light, and has 
done good service in guiding multitudes to the haven of rest, and the watch- 
men on the walls have been faithful men, yet some of the pilgrims who 
passed this way, thought it advisable to pass through deep waters, in order to 



96 THE CENTENNIAL, 

obey the Divine command. This new light slione for awhile on the hill, 
and blessed many who might otherwise have made shipwreck of their faith. 
But the troubled waters and a clear conscience before God helped them on 
their way. And now, like John the Baptist, they are doing their good work 
by- the river side, because there is much water there. 

Another beacon light shone for awhile on the hill beside the old one, and 
for a time it was thought the new light would eclipse the old one and render 
it useless. Its fires were kindled with great zeal, and many pilgrims warmed 
themselves by this fire, and felt new life kindled in their desponding hearts. 
Then they shouted for joy because they felt sure they were on their journey 
home. 

But the old light had been shining too long to be easily eclipsed by a new 
one, and as the great mass of pilgrims looked at the old light, and felt safe 
in steering by that, the new light was removed to a more favorable locality 
in the valley, where the Wesleys could sing and pray with none to molest or 
make them afraid. 

What could old Acworth do without these lights ? No light on the hill ! 
"Would not weary pilgrims stumble upon the dark mountains ? No light in 
the valley ! Would not Apollyon be the terror of all who should pass that 
way ? There is enough of sin and wickedness, where the best churches are 
found. What then must be the condition of that community where no light 
comes to the people through the word of God, none through religious so- 
cieties. 

Had no Sabbath bells been heard over these hills and through these valleys 
durinf the past hundred years, and had no people observed the weekly 
Sabbath, as returns this holy day, it would require no prophet to tell of 
shipwrecks, where all on board perished, because no beacon light revealed 
to them their danger and their peril. But when the members of these 
churches, who are the light of the world, let their light shine, then the voy- 
ao-crs upon the sea of life, will have no excuse if they fail of entering the 
harbor of rest. For forty years I have watched these pilgrims toiling up 
Zion's hill. The youthful and the aged alike finding sweet peace as they 
neared the land of rest. Their conquest, their victory, and their triumph 
came through Ilim who is the Light of the world. So when these pilgrims 
have passed out of our sight, we have said, "Blessed are the dead, who die 
in the Lord." 

But no such blessedness, and peace, have I known, where persons have 
despised the church, and neglected the ordinances of religion. 

A hundred years hence, and many more pilgrims will have passed this 
way. Who shall give them light on their journey? Shall not these churches 
stand as beacon lights, when the fathers and mothers and the children, now 
on the stage, shall all have passed away? Then "Let your light so shine 
before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father 
which is in Heaven." 




. .-^ , 



C7 '^(yt^t^'-^-^'^-o-r^^^-^- 



EEMARKS BY J. DAVIS. 97 

The next sentiment was responded to by J. Davis of Hancock, 
New Hampshire : 

" The Farmers of Acworth, nrsiilcnt and Abroad — Tlieir herds and flocks manifest 
their kindness and skill; tlieir well cultivated fields and full granaries, their industry; 
their gTeenl)acks and bank stock, their economy ; their open doors, their hospitality ; 
and their maple sugar, their excellent good taste." 

3Ir. President: — In responding to the sentiment just announced, there is 
nothing that gives me more pleasure than to speak of this class of men, 
whether resident or abroad, who have acted their part so nobly in the dis- 
charge of their duties in cultivating and tilling the soil. 

No class of people on the face of the earth are more independent than the 
farmers of this goodly town. They know their support depends upon their 
strict economy and persevering industry, upon the cultivation of their broad 
and fertile fields, warmed by the refulgent and genial sun, nourished by the 
gentle showers of rain, and upon the flocks and herds that graze upon your 
hills. No town stands higher than this in raising fine horses, cattle and sheep, 
of which the sons, who are residents in the old homesteads of their fathers, 
may justly feel proud. You manifest your kindness and skill in the man- 
agement and protection of your flocks and herds, in constructing warm and 
convenient buildings to protect them from the cold and bleak winds of a New 
England winter. You derive an income from your flocks as well as from 
your bank stock and greenbacks, which you have secured by the prudent 
hand of toil and by strict economy. 

These beautiful hills and gentle slopes yield their grain and fruit to the in- 
dustrious hand of labor, and fill granaries as a reward for your patient in- 
dustry. 

The early teachings of your fathers were not in vain, and the influence 
which they exerted on the youthful character, was propitious and salutary. 
It was felt and realized in every community throughout Christendom, where 
they lived. 

The seeds of morality, kindness, benevolence and industry were implanted 
in the youthful mind ere they left the parental roof, by the teachings of a 
kind and affectionate parent. Those who have left their native soil, and have 
gone to the far West, or settled in some of the more enterprising and flour- 
ishing towns of New England which gave greater scope to their energies and 
a wider field for their enterprise, or easier facilities for the discharge of Agri- 
cultural or mechanical pursuits, have not forgotten the instruction they re- 
ceived in their early days, that industry and economy give peace and happi- 
ness to the mind, health to the body and greenbacks to the pocket. 

All useful pursuits are noble and ennobling, but if any distinction is to be 
made, that is most dignified which is most useful. 

For this, andjiiany other reasons, agriculture has been placed at the head 
of all employments. It is the foundation on which all other pursuits rest, 
and without it they could not stand a day. The whole human family are 
13 



98 THE CENTENNIAL. 

dependent upon the toil and industry of tlie husbandman for tlieir sustenance. 
The rich and the poor, the high and the low, the beasts that roam over your 
hills, as well as the insect that crawls at your feet, all must -draw their sup- 
port from Mother Earth. 

The cultivation of the earth brings us into closer communion with nature 
and her operations than any other employment. It was the employment of 
our first parents, who were placed by the hand of their Creator in the garden 
of Eden, to dress it and keep it. It has ever been, still is, and must ever 
be the employment of multitudes of the human race. 

Aside from the labor of your farms, but intimately connected with it, is 
the manufacture of maple sugar, which is a laborious and fatiguing task, but 
the purity and good quality of your sugar, showing that in its production you 
have manifested skill and ingenuity, repays you for your hard work. 

You, who have remained upon your native soil, are generally more pros- 
perous, better contented and happier than those who have led a more adven- 
turous life. Still, there are some who- have gone to other climes, who have 
been fortunate and successful in accumulating a large amount of this world's 
goods, by persevering industry and a close application to their business, but 
after all they do not possess that spirit of independence which characterizes 
the lords of the soil. It is upon the yeomanry of a land that the wealth and 
prosperity of a nation depends. It is this that has made your goodly town 
to prosper and become what it now is. It has built your churches and school- 
houses, the recipients of your fostering care. It converted the wilderness 
into fruitful fields, and made them to bud and blossom like the rose. It 
built your houses that stand by the way-side and in your villages, where you 
now dwell, enjoying all the comforts which nature and your own industry has 
given you, for your prosperity and happiness. You realize it, you feel joy 
and thankfulness that a kind Providence has showered these blessings upon 
you. Your generosity speaks of your kind hearts. Your hospitable man- 
sions, whose doors are ever open to the poor and needy as well as to the 
stranger, are an index to your charity and benevolence- 
Mr. President, the sons and daughters of the resident farmers, who left 
these beautiful fields and green hills and fertile valleys, where once they 
sported in all the innocence of childhood, have now come home, — home did 
I say ; how sweet the sound ! how dear to the heart of those, who have en- 
joyed its sweet influence ! have come to join in the celebration of the anni- 
versary of Acworth, to spend a short time in fraternal salutations — -in happy 
greetings — in pleasant and cheerful intercourse — to recall innocent sports, 
and delightful scenes — to revive old friendships, and meet gld friends — to in- 
quire after each other's welfare and how it has fared with us during the many 
years of our separation — what successes and reverses, what lights and shad- 
ows have checkered our lives. 

' But, sir, the man who stands upon his own native soil, who feels that by 
the laws of the land, by the laws of civilized nations, he is the rightful and 




C<-^2^ ^-2'-7-^' <rt><i^> 



/ c/~^H^^*^^ 






EEMARKS BY E. P. BREED, ESQ. 99 

exclusive owner of the land he tills, is by the constitution of his nature, un- 
der a wholesome influence, not easily imbibed from any other source. He 
feels, other things being equal, more strongly than another the position of 
man, as the lord of an inanimate world, — of this great and wonderful sphere, 
which, fashioned by the hand of God, and "upheld by his power, is rolling 
through the heavens, a part of his, from the center to the sky. 

Perchance his farm has come down to him from his fathers, but time, in 
his silent and noiseless tread, has completed his work, and they have gone to 
their final repose, but he can trace their footsteps as he pursues his daily 
labor. Perhaps the very roof which shelters him was reared by those to 
whom he owes his being — some interesting tradition is generally connected 
with every enclosure. The favorite fruit-tree planted by his father's hand — 
the brook which winds through the meadow giving beauty and verdure to its 
fertile banks, where he sported in childhood, where lay the path to the vil- 
lage in earlier days. He still hears the sound of the church-going bell, from 
the window, which called his father to the house of God, and, near at hand, 
is the spot where his parents are laid down to their final rest, and where, 
when his time shall come, he will be laid beside them. These are some of 
the feelings of the owners of their native soil. Language cannot paint them — 
they flow from the deepest fountains of the heart — they are the life springs 
of a fresh, healthy and generous national character. 

The next sentiment, " To the memory of the late Dr. Lyman 
Brooks,^^ was responded to by E. P. Breed, Esq., of New York 
City: 

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen : — "While this day so long expected 
is made the season of festivity, it, of necessity, calls us to review, with more 
or less of satisfaction, the record of the past. 

This vast throng of men and women and children coming together to-day 
for the revival of old associations and the interchange of friendly greetings, 
reminds us that in the bosoms of the sons and daughters of Acworth there 
still fondly lingers a filial love for their early Eastern homes. 

8ince first the sound of the settler's axe was heard in the grand, old for- 
ests which crowned these now cultivated hills — since first the pale face pitched 
his habitation on this frontier where now repose the emblems of civilization, 
the grave has gathered within its icy arms more than three generations of men. 

Meet it is that to-day — and to-day of all days — we strew the colorless 
flowers of our love over their graves. Meet it is that to-day we oflTer to the 
memory of their virtues the tribute of our respect and affection — that to-day 
we recall the history of their devotion to humanity and religion, their fidelity 
to the fundamental principles whereon is built the structure of liberal govern- 
ment, whereon repose the solid walls of the Temple of God, 

From the charnel-house they speak to us and bid us imitate the excellencies 
of then- lives ; bid us revere them as sturdy laborers for the good of mankind. 



100 THE CENTENNIAL. 

In yonder burylng-ground stand the sculptured monuments which tell us 
their brief history — they were born — they died. And if we search among 
these mementos of the departed, we shall find few whose memory is more 
worthy of our regard than that of him who is so fitly recalled to our recollec- 
tion by the sentiment to which Itiow respond. 

Lyman Brooks was born in the neighboring town of Alstead, where he 
remained until he was eleven years of age when his father removed to Ver- 
mont, to a farm in the County of Caledonia, the name of which is a kindly 
memento of that land of mountain and lake, of battle and of song, to which 
many of you with just pride trace your origin. Partaking of the common lot 
of the sons of New England, he labored on his father's farm until he was 
twenty-one years of age ; and afterwards during the intervals of study gained 
the means of his support and education. He pursued his professional studies 
with Dr. Dewey of Lancaster, and Dr. Adams of Keene, and in the year 
1821, at the age of twenty-four years, he graduated at the Medical School of 
Dartmouth College. 

The first two years of his professional life — years of trial to the physician — 
were passed in the adjoining town of Marlow, and in the year 1823 he re- 
moved to this town, where, with eminent success, he practiced his profession 
until his decease in May, 1865. 

In the life of a physician, whose practice is among the inhabitants of a 
rural district, there is usually little to attract the attention of the historian 
or the eulogist. He is not called to address listening Senates, nor may he 
engage in the strifes of the business mart. The very nature of his inter- 
course with his fellow-men shuts out of view his words and his deeds. 

The confidential adviser in regard to the ills of those who require his 
services, he may not proclaim his acts in the ears of a curious community ; 
he quietly passes from house to house, from bedside to bedside, the minister 
of healing to the suffering and the bearer of comfort to the sorrowing. He 
listens to the griefs of his anxious fellows and scatters, if it may be, the af- 
flictions that smother their hearts. In the heat of your midsummer, in the 
fierce, way-blocking storms of your winter, the doctor's daily round must be 
made — nay, he must make the " night joint laborer with the day," and, as 
the suffering children of men know no Sabbath of rest from their pain, so he 
knows not the repose which men of other pursuits enjoy. To the alleviation 
of human suffering he has made a solemn dedication of the energies of his 
life, and he must not forget his vows. But while there is little opportunity 
for physical comfort, there is ample room and verge enough for that peaceful 
satisfaction which the consciousness of faithful service must ever produce. 
It will not require an effort of your fancy to present before the minds of 
many of you the constant, unwearying labors of Dr. Brooks for nearly lialf 
of that century the completion of which you so appropriately celebrate to-day. 
Many of you will remember how earnestly you watched the expression of his 
face, as he stood by the bedside of various members of your families and gave 



REMARKS BY E. P. BREED, ESQ. 101 

you words of cheer — told you by the kindlhig eye, even before his gentle, 
sympathizing voice was heard, that the crisis was passed — that the skill of 
healing had prevailed, and that your loved ones would yet be restored to 
health: or, it may be, (for it is written "All men must die,") your worst 
fears assumed the form of fact and he found no word or hope to whisper in 
your ear, but rather, that the summons hence must be obeyed — told you in 
few and kindly words that the mortal must put on immortality — that you 
must prepare to see your dear one pass 

" beneath the low green tent 
Whose curtain never outward swings." 

From many a scene like this the faithful physician must depart ; the privacy 
of domestic grief may not be disturbed by one even so confidential as the 
family physician. He may take your hand in the warm grasp of friendship 
— he may say to you "good-bye" and but little more, he turns his face 
from you and is gone. 

The breaking heart must rest — must find for itself that healing which 
Cometh not from human agency — must, in its loneliness, look to that fountain 
of pure beneficence which faileth not. I should do injustice to the subject 
of these remarks, if I should omit to speak of him as a citizen and as a 
friend. In whatever seemed to be for the public weal he was always an 
active and vigilant promoter, ever realizing the fact that there is no subject 
of o-reater interest to the citizen of a free country than that of the mental 
and moral training of the young ; that within its compass are gathered the 
hopes of all the future ; and I think you will join me in asserting the truth 
of the remark that in his decease education lost an earnest and a faithful 
advocate. 

There are many in this assembly celebrating with filial love and veneration 
the deeds of their fathers and their mothers, and they will tell you with what 
fidelity their fathers and their mothers wrought. 

Look around you ! compared with the great cycles of years it is but a 
little time since the place where you now stand, nay, all the surrounding 
territory was one wide wildwood of maple and oak and hemlock, the home 
of the bear and the eagle. The axe has laid the forest trees low and they 
have been shaped into cottages and farm houses, granaries and barns ; the 
wild beast has fled and the eagle is scarcely known to you except as the em- 
blem of your country. 

Where aforetime stood the wigwam of the children of the forest you now 
behold the district school-house and the church, emblems, in this favored 
land, of mental culture and moral and religious training, so that this 
rural town has put on the garments of the ages. Too much of this be- 
neficent result Dr. Brooks contributed an ample share, and, for his labors, 
we, as citizens, to day wreathe his memory with the chaplet of our grateful 
remembrance. 



102 THE CENTENNIAL. 

As a friend and neighbor Dr. Brooks was ftiithful and true ; warm and 
genial in his sympathies ; hearty and sincere in his manifestations of regard. 
Tliere are many here now, there are many absent who remember with keen 
gratitude his kindness to them, who remember with what good nature and 
good heart he bestowed upon them the tokens of his generous inclinations, 
and I am sure that from the realms of the happy his beautiful spirit looks 
with placid eye upon the thousand evidences of his love. 

Of other and gentler feelings which cluster around the hearts of those 
who were of his fireside I may not speak ; they belong to the seclusion of 
his own bereaved family, where I know they are treasured in the storehouse 
of their most abiding affection. 

With the hope that it will not be thought improperly obtrusive I beg the 
privilege of saying he was my friend, and that personally I feel a pride in 
the consciousness that he was so. While I grieve that any one must speak 
his eulogy, it is a melancholy pleasure that I am permitted at this time to 
bear testimony to his many virtues, and to join with you in paying a grateful 
tribute " to the Memory of the late Dr. Brooks." 

The following sentiment was responded to by George B. Brooks, 
Esq., of East Saginaw, Michigan : 

The Native Lairyers of Acworth — Ever true to their early impressions. One of them 
is done brown (Brown). Others run as swiftly as tlie brooiis (Brooks). Many secli 
tlie cool retreat of the bowers (Bowers) : while all, ere they reach their graves 
(Graves), will pause and pay a tribute to the memory of the late Levi Turner, Esq., 
and the Hon. Milon C. McClure." 

Fellow- Citizens and Friends : — Although the number of native lawyers is 
small, it is not an occasion for even a brief history of individuals, and I can 
only hope to show the direction in which lie the rights, duties and tendencies 
of the legal profession. The true type of our citizenship and civilization is 
found in the lives of our best men and women. If we have paupers and 
convicts, they are unfortunates, and detract nothing from the higher order of 
manhood that does exist. The ministry of the church has its hypocrites, the 
noble profession of medicine has its quacks, and the law has its pettifoggers ; 
yet these are no honest part or index of the learned professions, but parasites. 
The English novelists, of the past few years, have given much false coloring 
to the American Bar. Their representations, — forceful, eloquent ancl truth- 
ful, as the part in romances which they are made to take, requires, — are no 
more the type of character in the history of American jurisprudence, than 
the Salem witchcraft is of the freedom of the religious sentiments of New 
England in the year 1868. But they left impressions that stay late in the 
minds of many, who accept them without a doubt or an inquiry, as a truth- 
ful likeness of the whole class of lawyers everywhere. I remember a good 
old lady, who would as willingly have gone down to her grave with a lie 
u]jon her lips as to have represented any human being falsely or unjustly, 



REMARKS BY GEORGE B. BROOKS, ESQ. 103 

and she said to me in a voice of tenderness and sadness, " do you really be- 
lieve a lawyer can be a good man ? " 

But the testimonies concerning the dignity of the profession have prevailed, 
and it is well that the old discredits and disgraces, which it has received 
through ignorance, — but ignorance in many disguises, coming sometimes 
through the zeal and jealousy of divines, sometimes through the severity of 
political hatred and sometimes through the learned and the philosopher, — 
have been removed. 

The lawyer is the product of civilization. Savage life and the earlier 
pioneers do not require his services, for in these conditions brute force has 
the mastery, and " might makes right." "To give counsel, to secure men's 
persons from death and violence, and to dispose of the property of their 
goods and lands," are their true labors. The nation, the State and the in- 
dividuals are their wards. Their life, liberty and estate are in their keeping 
while reason and right rule. Questions of great weight and great difficulty. 
Weighty for that the things of such value are at issue, difficult for the able 
practice and learned opinions, on the one side, and the equally influential 
and learned authorities on the other side. And then, there are men and 
women of fine fiber and sentiments, and they must be managed delicately ; 
and there are men and women of coarse fiber and sentiments, and they must 
be managed delicately. 

But bar the nobler purposes, and the moralities if you will, and brino- all 
to the low level of expediency, and then ask, " What pays best," in the 
practice of law ? The answer is, strict integrity, unquestioned probity and 
unsullied honor. " Just law and true policy never go apart." This is no 
sickly sentiment, for sensational occasions, but the daily experience of pro- 
fessional life. Through all, in all, and with all, if true to the high callino-, 
the end sought is, that " truth may first appear and then prevail." 

Our rugged and rocky hills, with their pleasant valleys, that the o-rand 
old primal ocean left us, when the great law made other beds for the waters, 
have given us sweet influences amid scenes of beauty and grandeur. They 
have made us better, if not always good men, and women, — and better law- 
yers too ; — and the early and lasting impressions that have come from these 
hills, we shall never forget and can never cease to love, scattered though we 
may be among mountains, among other hills, or in our prairie homes. I speak 
for a profession that I love and reverence, and how gratefully and tenderly 
too, if time allowed, would I go to the grave of our honored dead, whose 
lives were the ripe consummate fruit of duty done to all mankind. Of the 
living, their works should tell more and better things than any words of mine 
can speak. 

Native lawyers of Acworth, brothers and volunteers in tlie ranks of hard 
workers, that are second to none in intellect, in heart, in culture, in acquire- 
ments, in veracity, in justice, and in humanity, let us remember that " the 
gi-eatest trust between man and man, is the trust of giving counsel." If 



104 THE CENTENNIAL. 

you arc not true men in the profession, you are false men, and cannot be true 
anywhere. If worthy the dignity of the profession 

" it must follow, as the night the day 



Thou canst not he false to any man ! " 

The sentiment next in order was responded to by L. V. N. 
Peck of Poughkeepsie, N, Y., as follows : 

" Our Native Teachers — A close attention to their calling, has won for them a pre- 
eminence in tliis profession worthy of commendation." 

Mr. President, and Fellow - Citizens : — It is no part of a teacher's duty to 
make long speeches ; whatever he says is expected to be short, sharp and 
decisive, and I am sure I cannot please this audience better than by making 
my remarks short, though they may be neither sharp or decisive. 

That which distinguishes New England above other parts of this country 
and above all other countries, is her system of common schools, a system 
which enables every child to secure the advantages of an education, and 
makes our people the most intelligent among the nations of the earth. I 
tell you, my friends, I am proud every day of my life that I was born and 
bred in New England, and this feeling of pride and gratitude deepens and 
streno-thens the more I see of the social life and educational deficiencies of 

o 

other communities. 

Our rocky soil and sterile hills may not compare very favorably with the 
rich prairies of the West, or the productive savannahs of the South ; but of 
what avail were those rich soils until New England genius and enterprise 
brought their hid treasures to the light, and made them minister to the com- 
fort and sustenance of our people. Go where you will, over the broad West, 
and in every village you will find men whom the rocky soil of New England 
nurtured to manhood, whose intellects New England teachers have sharpened, 
and fitted for their work. Tell over the prominent public men of our coun- 
try at any period of our history, and you will find that New England has 
always contributed her full share and sometimes exceeded it threefold. 
Well did the sturdy farmer answer the traveler's half contemptuous query, as 
to what were our productions, " Well our land is rough and our soil poor, 
so we build school-houses and raise men!" To raise men who can 
wisely and justly control the affairs of the nation, we need, as we have 
had, good schools and earnest, devoted teachers. This brings me to my text, 
"The native teachers of Acworth." I do not need to point them out to 
you by name, they are with you and of you. They are your neighbors 
and friends. I see before me venerable men, who wielded the birch, when 
a powerful physique was one of the first requisites demanded by the care- 
ful committee ; for — be it spoken with all fitting reverence — the bois- 
terous spirits of our fathers and mothers, the outgrowth of an exuberant 
life and health, of which this generation knows little, sometimes needed the 
restraiuins; hand of the master. 



KEMARKS BY L. V. N. PECK AND DAVID a\3IPBELL. 105 

How fondly do our old men dwell upon the hearty good will and cordial 
hospitality of those times, with the huskings, and apple-bees and spelling- 
schools, when red ears were prizes better than gold, when apple-parino-s 
mysteriously curled into cabalistic symbols of future destiny, and merry 
games and forfeits made the hours flit by with lightning speed, and brought 
the pleasant pain of parting all too soon. In all these merry-makino's the 
teacher was an important and honored guest. Generally he " boarded round," 
and his coming was an event to be dreaded by over-anxious housewives, lest 
their hospitalities might prove inferior to those he had already experienced, 
but he was sure of a hearty welcome, and the best the house afforded. Alas ! 
those good old days of rugged simplicity and sterling honesty are gone never 
to return — the people, customs, institutions, even the very face of the country, 
all are changed, all except those principles of liberty and justice, which our 
Pilgrim Fathers stamped upon their offspring, and which can never be ef- 
faced until our rocky hills are leveled with the sea. 

In none of these things has Acworth been behind her sister towns. She 
can show a long list of heroes of the bloody field, and of the peaceful home ; 
many a man and woman of to-day holds in grateful remembrance the pre- 
cepts of the teacher. I believe Acworth can show a larger list of teachers 
than any other town of its size. From my own native district, No. 7, con- 
taining barely 15 families, there were at one time full thirty engaged in 
teaching. Other districts could perhaps show as good a record. But most 
of our teachers have not thought the business a good one to grow old in, so 
after a few terms or years they have changed into those ministers, doctors, 
lawyers and dentists, so highly eulogized here to-day, or have adopted the 
quieter but not less useful pursuit of farming. 

At this moment I recall but one Acworth man who has made teachins: a 
life business, and he is present. I am sure you will all agree that his 
past success and his present position as Principal of the best Young Ladies' 
Seminary in all New England, prove that he has not mistaken his calling. 
My friends, we are all teachers, by example, if not by precept. Let us re- 
member, too, that we are all pupils of the same great Teacher, whose lessons, 
if well learned, will make us useful and honored here and happy hereafter. 

The next sentiment was responded to by David Campbell 
of Nashua : 

" The Mechanics of Acworth, Native or Adopted — Rich in power of invention, 
skillful in -workmansliip, and industrious in their habits." 

In replying to this sentiment allow me to arrange the mechanics into three 
classes, or generations covering the hundred years we this day celebrate. In 
giving the names of the first class — our father mechanics, it will aid my 
memory (for I rank with the middle class) to associate location with names 
I wish to recall. I shall be pardoned, perhaps, if I begin near home, both 
personally and geographically. Three-fourths of a mile from where we stand, 
14 



106 THE CENTENNIAL. 

resided James Campbell, " the weaver," as recorded in his deeds, when he 
bought three lots of unbroken forest land. He was apprenticed to the trade 
of a weaver when fourteen years old in Londonderry. His health failed 
from the effects of small pox, and he was discharged from the Continental 
Army before the close of the great contest; and as soon as able he entered 
upon his part of this then wilderness. His trade was of much service to 
himself, as well as to his neighbors, for he would weave their "coverlets," 
and by one day's work in his loom would pay for two days' work in felling 
the forest trees around his dwelling. Having plenty of land, he was glad 
to settle other mechanics around him. A little east of his house, was the 
first hatter in town — James Pearsons, father of Deacon John Pearsons, lately 
deceased. A little further east was Andrew Woodbury, cut nail-maker, and 
a small water-power was used for cutting the nails, but foot-power machinery 
was used in heading them. It is probable that the older houses in town 
contain nails made by this early mechanic. Farther down on the same 
brooklet was a blacksmith's shop, and a trip-hammer, built and operated by 
John Reed, son of Supply Reed, the first carpenter in the east part of the 
town. On the site of this trip-hammer shop was afterwards the tannery of 
David and Joseph Blanchard. Passing up this brook north were two saw- 
mills, one built by Supply Reed, near his residence, and the other by Deacon 
Jonathan Silsby, and afterwards continued to be operated by his son, Deacon 
Henry Silsby, till near the time of his death. Still farther north was the 
residence of Amos Ingalls, Acworth's first plough-maker, so far as my rec- 
ollection serves. 

I will now pass over west to Derry Hill. There lived Capt. Joseph Gregg 
the carpenter, and near him John Wilson the maker of the "spinning-jacks 
and spinning-jennies" of those times, which served our manufacturing 
mothers (I will not say mechanics) a good purpose for spinning cotton, 
linen and wool, and as one of the speakers here to-day has said, served 
the daughters as pianos and melodeons. Near this was the first cooper 
I remember, Aaron Kemp. Jonathan H. Reed was afterwards cooper 
in the north part of the town. 

Passing in our circuit from " Derry Hill," we came to " Parks Hollow " 
on Cold River. Here were the first saw-mill, fulling-mill, and grist-mill, 
and a little east of these was the blacksmith's shop of Maj. Joel Anglers. 
Following up the river you find the first " local " shoemaker, Joseph Gleason, 
and beyond him the saw- mill of Capt. Robert Clark. Here I first saw 
"water-power" applied to the "breaking" and "swingling" of flax. 
Every farmer's barn before this was vocal with the sound of hand-power flax 
machines, in winter. This " water-power machine was the work of Barnabas 
Mayo if I recollect aright. 

I will finish this circuit by following Cold River up stream to " Keyes 
Hollow," on the east side of the town where was another saw-mill and after- 
wards a fulling-mill, owned by John Thornton. That water-power is now 



EEMAEKS BY DAVID CAMPBELL. 107 

ixsed to drive maehiaery for making various kinds of wood work, owned by 
J. M. Reed. 

Return now to the middle of the town. Here was the first blacksmith's 
shop in town, or the first I ever saw. Capt. Gawin Gilmore was a model 
mechanic, and his sons after him. Dawson Russell was the first saddler I 
remember. William Heywood, carpenter, Asa Newton, shoemaker, and 
Josiah Boutelle, painter. 

Approximating to the second generation were James Wallace, shoemaker 
Adam Wallace and Capt. Edward Woodbury, blacksmiths, David Montgom- 
ery, saddler, David Campbell, shoemaker, John Davidson and Frederic 
Parks, machinists, William Hayward, tinner, John Moore, cabinet maker, 
also, William and Daniel Warner, carpenters, but residing west of the center. 
Many others noio omitted complete the list of the mechanics of Acworth of 
the first and second generations. Many of these were adopted, but where 
Acworth has adopted one mechanic, she has sent two and perhaps three to 
help build up the great West ! I have seen them in all the western cities I 
have passed through, and in Central Minnesota I have seen three of Ac- 
worth's mechanics in one rural township. 

Leaving the names of the present generation of mechanics to be recorded 
by the historian who may foflow me, I will speak of their power of invention, 
skill and industry. I will give as a general rule what I think a fair test of 
judgment on this point. It is this. Have the mechanics of Acworth invented 
all the improvements which their local wants require, and the advancing civ- 
ilization of the age demands of them ? Let us see. There is no heavy 
water power in this town, such as would develop inventive genius in the di- 
rection of larger kinds of machinery. Nor are your hay-meadows so broad 
as to call the attention of your mechanics to the invention of horse-power 
mowing-machines, or your prairies so broad as to require a steam-plough. 
Your sons who have gone West have attended to these matters. What are 
your wants? You have "side hills." I remember how difficult it was to 
plow these ridges on the upper side of the field. One year ago, the New 
Hampshire State Fair was held in Nashua where I now reside, and under a 
large tent, but not so large as this, my first attraction was an exhibition of 
mechanical skill in the construction of ploughs. A young man was revers- 
ing a plow with great rapidity, showing how easily it could be done, in less 
time than a pair of swift horses could be turned around. I inquired of him 
who invented and patented that valuable improvement, and was more than 
pleased to find that he was an Acworth boy — son of my old friend Ezra 
Luf kin ! The same skill here displayed would have invented the steam- 
plow, or mowing-machine, had this son of Acworth been a resident of the 
Prairie States of the West. Such inventions are a necessity there because 
they must raise two or three bushels of grain to your one, being so much 
further from market, hence their plowing, planting and reaping machines. 
Had Acworth been a cotton plantation, instead of a flax-raising town, so that 



108 THE CENTENNIAL. 

our mothers were under the necessity of using and spinning raw cotton as is 
done in many parts of Connecticut, for instance, some son of Acworth would 
no doubt have invented the cotton-gin instead of a Connecticut Yankee. I re- 
member that when a child, I thought it quite a task to help half a dozen sisters 
pick the seed out of the small quantity of cotton then used by my manufac- 
turing mother. If the busy mothers had used cotton instead of flax, the fingers 
of their numerous children would not have furnished cotton-gins enoujrh. 

I will now endeavor to illustrate this last point of my text. The industry 
manifested and the improvement made hy your mechanics. On such an oc- 
casion as this I may be pardoned, if some of my own personal experience 
should mingle with my illustrations. At the time I first aspired to the honor 
of being a mechanic of Acworth, the custom of using pegs in the bottoms of 
boots and shoes instead of thread was introduced, but how to make the pegs ! 
They were then made with a knife, and were bungling things pointed only 
one way. An ingenious son of Amos Bailey, who lived in the north part of 
the town", soon came to our relief by constructing a plane to point them both 
ways, and he would bring them in small cards four inches square. Soon he 
so improved the machinery as to split the pegs for us, and furnish them by 
the quart, and soon by the bushel. See what your sons have done in this 
branch of business. Truman Silsby next took up the work which Harley 
Bailey had begun, and sold pegs by the hundred bushels. Then Samuel 
McClure applied horse-power to his machinery, and now a son of Acworth 
by the use of water and steam-power, and improved machinery produces 
shoe-pegs by the tens of thousand bushels. 

Indulge me with another practical illustration of mechanical improvement 
since the early settlement of Acworth. The first settlers were under the 
necessity of being their own manufacturers and mechanics. To subdue the 
wilderness and cultivate the soil were matters of the first necessity. I have 
alluded to the primitive custom of our fathers in having shoes and garments 
made in their own families, and of employing "itinerant" shoemakers. 
The shoemakers who went around from house to house, were very unpopu- 
lar with such as were shop-keepers, and the term " cat-whippers " was applied 
to that class. The custom was soon abandoned. But the tanners were 
still longer subjected to the inconvenience of tanning the hides, as brought 
to them by the farmers, on shares ; and the farmers brought their own 
leather to the shoemakers, which was cut to great disadvantage, and sub- 
jected the shoemakers to great inconvenience in keeping each man's leather 
separate. At length one of your shoemakers determined to break up this 
custom by purchasing stock in large quantities, and working it up to his own 
mind, refusing all " measures " unless to be made from his own stock. His 
plan at first was treated with derision. " No one would buy sale shoes ! " 
The reputation of " salework," was universally bad. Many a sad story 
was told of the sufferings of the continental soldiers, without shoes, and 
when supplied with new ones they proved worthless. But none of these 



EEMAEKS BY JONATHAN EOBINSON. 109 

things moved our young mechanic ; he declared his purpose was fixed, and 
he would make his " salework " much better, than he could do when cuttiiio- 
from every man's leather hap-hazard, amid the interruptions and annoyances 
incidental to that system. And more than this, he would warrant his work 
much better, and would sell it twenty-five per cent, below the ordinary price, 
on the old system, and leave the question of patronage with his old custom- 
ers, to buy or let it alone, — for he could sell an honest article abroad, as 
soon as its merits were tested. This suited the tanners, of whom Lemuel 
Lincoln was the father. It relieved them of dressing every man's leather on 
the shares, and enabled them to tan, dress and sell it in lots. I need not 
say the plan was successful ; you have the results before you. It cost a few 
struggles, and there were some vicissitudes attending the business for a time ; 
but all obstacles have been overcome, and now sterling young men have the 
business in hand, and annually distribute thousands of dollars among the 
families who aid them in their work. With real pleasure have I witnessed 
the skill and industry and improvement this class of young mechanics of 
Acworth have made, since my residence in town thirty-five years ago. 

Nor is this all I have witnessed I have been to South Acworth, formerly 
known as "Parks Hollow." See what your mechanics have done there? 
They have no broad valleys in that section of the town, nor are their hills of 
so gentle a slope as near the center, but the farmers there put the side-hill 
plow to a practical test, and to good advantage. And now let me say before 
closing, that during all my residence in town, from boyhood up, I never saw 
the farms so well cultivated as now, the houses so well kept in repair, as I 
see this day. What if you have no water power or railroad center on these 
beautiful hills ? You are more than compensated by the healthy moral tone 
you can maintain in community, by the absence of demoralizing influences 
so prevalent in our large manufacturing villages and busy railroad centers. 

Let me conclude by giving emphasis to the sentiment of my text. May 
the Mechanics of Acivorth live another hundred years ! and tohen the next 
Centennial year comes around, may they exhibit as much improvement on 
the present, as we noio witness on the commencement of the past century! 

The following remarks were from Mr. Jonathan Eobinson of 
Keene : 

Mr. President: — I am not here for the purpose of making a speech, nei- 
ther do I expect to add anything new to what has already been said. But 
as this is the native town of my "better half," perhaps there will be no im- 
propriety in relating what I knew of the town fifty years ago. What oc- 
curred here a century ago can only be gathered from history. Fifty years 
ago this present year I was here most of the time during the year, and part 
of the time I was a pupil of your then settled minister, Rev. Phinehas 
Cooke. A very competent and excellent teacher he was, and I have often 
regretted that I never had an opportunity of thanking him cordially for the 



110 THE CENTENNIAL. 

interest he manifested in my education, and especially in teaching me the 
outlines of Astronomy. Fifty years next winter, I kept a school in town, in 
what was then called the Deacon Finlay district, and a very pleasant time I 
had ; and while here, from the information I obtained and personal observa- 
tion, I believed it to be one of the most industrious, enterprising and thriving 
towns in the old county of Cheshire, and for aught I know it is so still. 
Perhaps there was no town in the county where the wealth was so equally 
divided as in Acworth, and it had the reputation of being one of the best 
farming towns in the county. It may appear incredible, but I believe there 
has been more dressed hogs, in one season, sent to market from the three or 
four stores you then had in this village, than would now furnish every family 
in town with a sufficiency of pork — besides leaving enough for your minister. 
I was here the winter after your present meeting-house was built, and was 
much interested and amused to hear your merchants discuss the subject of 
paying for the meeting-house ; but after canvassing the town and investiga- 
ting the matter, they finally came to the conclusion, that it was no great affair 
for Acworth after all, for the town that year raised flax and flax-seed enough 
to pay for the meeting-house, and besides give every man and woman in 
town a new linen shirt, and the boys a pair of tow pants. In my school- 
keeping here, as the saying was, I "boarded round," and had a very good 
opportunity of seeing something of the industry of the inhabitants, and I 
believe that some of my boys, even in the mornings before school time, 
dressed a number of pounds of flax, but this I cannot vouch for, for the reason 
that school-masters were allowed to lie in bed till they were called to breakfast. 
But one thing I do know, and I presume many present know by experience, 
that as soon as the supper table was out of the way, the big spinning-wheels 
were brought out, as many wheels as there were girls in the family, to spin 
tow, and the mother with her little wheel would spin flax, and it was buzz- 
whiz and whiz-buzz, until bed time. The boys would tend the fire and draw 
cider, for Acworth then made some six or seven hundred barrels of cider 
yearly, and you know it would not do to let it all go to vinegar. Fifty years 
ago next March I deposited my first vote here in Acworth for State and 
County officers, and I have never failed to vote in this State at every annual 
election up .to the present time, and I think I have always voted right. 



Of the many hundreds of letters received by the " Committee 
of Invitation " we can insert only a few. 

LETTER FROM PRESIDENT SMITH OP DARTMOUTH COLLEGE. 

Hanover, N. H., September 15, 1868. 
Gentlemen, — It is a matter of regret to me, that circumstances connected 
with the opening of our college year, will forbid my attending your approach- 
ing Centennial, I cannot leave my pressing engagements here. 



LETTERS. Ill 

I the more regret this, as I have not only had relatives resident with you 
for many years, but your town has had worthy representatives in our college 
and it has had many warm-hearted friends among your citizens. 

May the same blessing of the Most High, which for so long a period has 
crowned your hills and gladdened your valleys, abide there till the end of 
time. Yours very truly, Asa D. Smith. 

LETTER FROM HON. GEO. W. NESMITH. 

Eranklin, N. H., September 14, 18G8. 
Gentlemen, — Be assured it would give me great pleasure to accept your 
kind invitation to attend your Centennial Anniversary on the 16th inst., 
but other engagements will prevent my attendance. You have my hearty 
approval of the objects and design of the celebration. Our citizens in our 
several towns should oftener meet together, and forgetting the cares and 
little animosities of daily life, improve themselves by recalling to remem- 
brance the virtues and worthy example of their fathers, who have gone to 

their rest. 

I have a lively recollection of the lives and character of many of your 
citizens, and can bear honest and faithful testimony to their intrinsic worth. 
The more immediate object of your celebration will be to revive the memo- 
ries and trace the history of your early settlers, and such as have gone down 
to the grave, having acted their part well here. It is to such men you are 
indebted for your good standing as a town. We hear it said of you that 
none of your native inhabitants were ever committed to the State's prison for 
crime. Few towns can show so pure a record, and I trust a long time shall 
elapse, before your good fame and reputation, so honorably acquired, shall 
be tarnished by the criminal conduct of any of your children. 

In my youthful days I was accustomed to meet many of your citizens. 
While dwellino- in my father's house in my native town of Antrim, we often 
met those who were claimed by me as relatives or " kith and kin." We re- 
member and embrace in the number the Duncans, the McClures, the Dickeys, 
the Wallaces and Wilsons. Some of these people were old when I was 
young. We remember Col. John Duncan as one of the early settlers of the 
town. He was a man of superior ability, possessing an extensive knowledge 
of men and things, and a great fund of anecdotes. He represented Ac- 
worth and Lempster in the convention which met in Exeter, when our State 
constitution was adopted in 1792. He was the father of many children, 
some of whom no doubt will attend your anniversary. His oldest son, Adam 
Duncan, of Barnet, Vt., was a man of good talents and acquirements. 
When the spotted fever first appeared in the town of Antrim in February, 
1812, he happened to visit my father's house, and to his sagacity and experi- 
ence, some of us were much indebted, because the physicians had no expe- 
rience with the disease, while Duncan during the previous season, had seen 
its ravao-es, and learned its treatment in his own town. You will remem- 



112 THE CENTENNIAL. 

ber my other numerous relatives as possessing great physical strength, in- 
dustrious habits, general intelligence, some wit, and much good humor, in- 
clined to hospitality and ready and willing to do their share to promote good 
order, and a good social feeling in the respective societies in which they 
moved. 

The Acworth people were remarkable for their industrious habits. We 
can never forget the sleigh loads of flax and cloth, among other productions, 
which they formerly carried to market. The business of raising, and the 
home manufacture of flax, was formerly an extensive business with your peo- 
ple, but we regret to say that it has now become one of the lost arts in this 
State. It was the source of income to many of your inhabitants, and con- 
tinued to be so as late as 1825. Many of your farms, besides producing 
enough of other materials for man and beast, raised annually one thou- 
sand pounds of flax. The home or domestic manufacture of a portion of 
this crop, was deemed indispensable to the support and success of the fe- 
male department of the family. Another, a surplus quantity of a good 
quality, supplied the foreign market. Now the hum of the little spinning- 
wheel, as it stood upon the ancient hearth-stone, plied by our good old 
mothers and grandmothers, is no longer heard. These days of domestic in- 
dustry and true enjoyment, contributing to good health, and sound moral 
training, have been exchanged, to a large extent, for homes in factories, far 
from the parental eye, and in ill-ventilated and ill-kept boarding houses. 
As a people, we may be richer, but not better or happier. 

In conclusion I have only to say, select from the good habits and the vir- 
tues of your ancestry, everything worthy of imitation, and let this genera- 
tion and their descendants have for their guiding motto, Excelsior. 

With much respect, I subscribe myself your well wisher and obedient 
servant, George W. Nesmith. 

FROM DR. E. S. WRIGHT. 

Eredonia, N. Y., August 13, 18G8. 
Dear Sir, — As the historian of the town of Acworth, you have asked me 
to give you a sketch of some of the old men, who have passed away, and 
who were representative men of the town during my pastorate. I now recall 
with special interest a few of these, whom I will mention. Among the first, 
who died soon after my settlement in Acworth, was Capt. James Warner, a 
brother of Maj. Nathaniel Warner. He was a man of noble physical person, 
dignified deportment, kind and genial in heart, of strong sense and greatly 
respected and loved by all. At his funeral the church was crowded. Daniel 
Eobinson, Esq., was another of the old men who was marked for strict integ- 
rity of character, and purity of life. He had passed through many reverses 
of fortune when I knew him, hut still preserved his early habits of industry 
and enterprise. He was a great lover of order. An amusing habit was 
once related to me, illustrating this trait of his character. On retuiug to 




{^(^^-'t-/^-y cJ, x^^-^^?^"^ 



LETTERS. 113 

bed at night, he was accustomed to lay his clothes in such order as 
he would wish to put them on in the morning. At the bottom the 
boots and stockings, nest the pantaloons, vest and coat, and the whole 
surmounted with the hat, with which he began dressing. Thus no time 
was lost in dressing, and due order was also observed in the method. 
Deacon William McClure was a man of great firmness of character, and 
ardent in his devotion to the interests of the town, both civil and re- 
ligious, and ready for every good work. Mr. Lemuel Lincoln, father 
of Deacon Lincoln, Dr. Carleton, David Montgomery, Esq., Dr. Brooks, 
and some others I remember with special interest, as excellent men and 
valuable helpers in perpetuating the good influences which have made 
Acworth so worthy of a noble record in the history of the towns of New 
Hampshire. 

The Scotch-Irish element predominated in the still earlier fathers, who 
were the leading men at the time of the Rev. Phinehas Cooke's ministry. 
Mr. Cooke related to me a very interesting incident in regard to " old Capt. 
Dickey," as he was then called, showing the tenacity, both of personal opin- 
ion and of personal friendship, among the early fathers. Mr. Cooke preached 
a close sermon on temperance in the beginning of the temperance reform. 
Capt. Dickey was very much offended with it, and with Mr. Cooke. But on 
Monday morning, he drove into Mr. Cooke's yard with a very large load of 
hay,/ saying to his pastor, in his broad Scotch accent, as he stepped out of 
the door, "I have brought ye a load of hay, for that mad sermon you 
preached. Ye was mad when ye wrote it. Ye was mad when ye preached 
it, and ye're mad now." I hope you may be prospered in your efforts to 
make the approaching centennial anniversary one of interest and profit. 

Yours respectfully, E. S. Wright. 

LETTER FROM MAJOR-GENERAL CRAM. 

Detroit, Septem^ber 9, 1868. 
Gentlemen, — It is with no ordinary degree of pleasure that I acknowledge 
the receipt of your invitation, to be present at the celebration of the one 
hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the town of my birth, and I 
had, as I hoped and believed, made all arrangements necessary to enable 
me to be present on the occasion. The very recent death of my brother 
Eliphalet Cram of Racine, Wis., with domestic duties, pertaining to his 
family and estate, which by his will, making me executor, have devolved 
upon me, and my official duties besides, will render it impossible for 
me to participate in the celebration. I thank you, and through you the 
citizens of Acworth, for the honor conferred by your invitation, and regret 
exceedingly my inability to be in Acworth with you in person, as I will 
be in heart, on the 16th inst. I have the honor to be your friend, and 
very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. Jefferson Cram, 

Maj. Gen. U. S. Corps Engineers. 
15 



114 THE CENTENNIAL. 



LETTER FROM HON. NEDOM L. ANGIER OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA. 

Atlanta, Ga., Juno 8. 
Dear Sirs, — Your esteemed favor of the 9th ult. I have deferred answer- 
ing in hopes that ray affairs might assume such a shape, as to allow me the 
pleasure of accepting your kind invitation, and mingling with my old Acworth 
friends in the joys of a reunion of her hundreds of sons and daughters, at 
home and scattered throughout this happy land. But I see no chance to re- 
lieve myself of the heavy responsibilities that press upon me, and demand 
my presence here. I know of no earthly assemblage that could afford me 
so much pleasure, and it is with a heavy heart I am forced to deny myself 
the great boon. Be assured, though absent in person, that my thoughts, 
prayers, and sympathies will be with you, and the thousands who congregate 
at that happy gathering. Many will be there whose path verges close on the 
other world. Give my kind regards to all my old friends, and accept the as- 
surance of my highest esteem and respect. Nedom L. Angieb. 

LETTER FROM JOHN WILSON OF FLINT, MICH. 

Dear Sirs, — Your kind invitation to attend the Centennial Celebration in 
Acworth was duly received, and I hereby acknowledge the kindness and 
courtesy of my friends. I regret that I am unable to attend the anniversary of 
the settlement of the town. The reminiscences and scenes of bygone years 
will come up in review, and the cordial greeting of old friends will enhance 
the pleasures of the occasion. But I must forego this great pleasure, on 
account of age and infirmity. I think I was highly favored in having my 
birth and education in dear old Acworth. " How dear to my heart are 
the scenes of my childhood." From my father's farm on " Derry Hill " 
the scenery was grand and beautiful in every direction ; on the west from 
Ascutney far to the south, the beautiful Green IMountain range was in full 
view, and we had a grand panoramic view of the valley of the Connecticut 
River, dotted by its villages, churches and public buildings. 

There were many events in my early life quite interesting, and in their 
distinctness outlive the lapse of years. The great eclipse of the sun at noon- 
day in June, 180G, I remember distinctly. Napoleon Bonaparte was then in 
the full tide of his mighty career, and I used to eagerly watch for the Post to 
read the bulletins of the grand army of Italy and mark its wonderful career 
after crossing the Alps. The cold season of 1816 was remarkable for frost or 
snow during every month in the year. The memory of our dear pastor, Rev. 
Phinehas Cooke, will ever be gratefully cherished. The great revival of 1817 
in the schools and through the town was wonderful, and many souls were 
converted. It seems but yesterday when thirty-sis of our young men and 
women stood up in the broad aisle of the old church in Acworth and pro- 
fessed their love for Christ. I hope and trust you will have an interesting 
and pleasant time on the 16th. Respectfully yours, John Wilson, 



LETTERS. 115 



LETTER FROM MISS LURINDA CUMMINGS OF ASIIBURNHAM, 

MASS. , • 

Thanks for this invitation, — this token of respect, 

For oft we find the aged are treated with neglect ; 

'Tis a joy to be remembered in this world of change and care, 

And we estimate our friendships by the time that they will wear. 

I am writing for my Mother, — for seventy years ago 

She was a little infant in Acworth town we know, 

But now her form is bending beneath the weight of years, 

And childhood through the mists of time like fairy land appears. 

They called her Milly Currier, and she lived upon the hill. 

And this invitation tells me she is not forgotten still ; 

She remembers all her play-mates, and strings their names like pearls 

Upon the thread of memory — those happy boys and girls ! 

But when to womanhood she grew, my father claimed his bride. 
And nearly half a century they've traveled side by side ; 
Four mischief-loving children once filled their home with glee, 
But the eldest and the youngest have sailed o'er death's silent sea. 

My brother's grave is far away where Texas' wild flowers bloom — 
And God's bright stars their vigils keep, over his lonely tomb ; 
We gave him to his country — and no stain his glory dims, 
He tried to sooth the aching hearts and bind the shattered limbs. 

I'm writing for my Mother — and her heart is sad and sore, 
For the son who left his home to die upon that distant shore ; 
Though we miss him and are lonely where'er our footsteps stray. 
We would not call him back to earth from o'er the starry way. 

Alas ! I hardly dare to think how old my parents seem. 
Their threescore years and ten have passed so like a fleeting dream, 
While many dear companions whose parting hands they've pressed 
Have exchanged their weary earth-march for the grave's unbroken rest. 

The life-steed, hastening to its goal with such a rapid pace. 
Reminds us that this world is not our sure abiding place ; 
But the silvery tents are gleaming on the distant Eden shore. 
Where the lonely saddened spirit finds shelter evermore ! 

I'm writing for my Mother — and she wishes me to say 

Her thoughts will oft be with you on the bright centennial day ; 

Wishing prosperity may rest upon her native town. 

While peace and plenty evermore those hills and valleys crown. 

Friends of her youth and childhood, if any, such remain. 
How gladly would she meet them in childhood's home again, 
To renew the olden friendship, that time cannot destroy 
And eternity will brighten from earth's dimness and alloy. 



116 TUE CENTENNIAL. 

/ had dear friends in Acwortli some tweifty years ago, 
Who now may seem like strangers, for time has changed us so ; 
But those old familiar faces I should dearly love to see. 
And I cannot think my school-mates have quite forgotten me ! 

But some have sunk to early graves when life seemed bright and fair ; 
And were laid beneath the daisies with a blessing and a prayer ; 
Thank God for Immortality ! though precious friends have died, 
There will be a sweet reunion in our home beyond the tide. 

Yours truly, Lurinda Cummin^s. 

LETTER FROM REV. GEORGE COOKE OF WINCHESTER, MASS. 

Boston, July 14, '68. 
Gentlemen, — Your favor communicating the invitation to the Centennial" 
Anniversary is received. It greatly revives my first recollections of the beau- 
tiful hills of Acworth — the first square, unpainted meeting-house, through 
the pew-railings of which it was one of the first developments of my genius 
to thrust my flaxen head — the successor of that primitive building with its 
tall white steeple, its stars around the gallery for the boys to count during 
sermon time, and its wondrous lightning rod which tempted me to climb be- 
yond the proper limits of a boy's ambition — the singing seats, with the " pitch 
pipe," and its subsequent refinement to instruments of string and wind — the 
choir, with its momentous questions of leadership and conventional proprie- 
ties, which almost visibly shook those eternal hills. The old red school- 
house ! Oh ! that wonderful seminary ! with a Brigadier-General imported 
from Lempster, (ten feet high, as he then seemed to me,) to govern the 
school — the " high seats," so infinitely elevated in our juvenile view ; where 
one of your number, gentlemen of the committee, sat and "did his sums" 
with vastly more dignity than Senators or Presidents are capable of putting 
on now-a-days — with the row of stout young men on one side of the middle 
aisle, and an equal number, by count, of pretty girls on the other, skillfully 
keeping one eye on the reading lesson, while the other danced with gleam- 
ing fun and frolic across the aisle, the brow, nose, ears and other features, 
maintaining meanwhile the utmost deference to the Brigadier, who stood be- 
fore the fire-place with his big ruler under his arm to keep order. 

I hope that old red school-house survives bodily, as it does in my memory, 
at least that its ancient landmarks may be found. 

My memory busies itself in tracing the roads as they were fifty years ago, 
spreading out from the " middle of the town " to the four points of the 
compass — down steep and up high hills, leading away to the Grouts, the 
Campbells, the Duncans, the Dickeys, the Silsbys, the McClures, the Moores, 
the Hemphills, the Sladers, the Warners, Howards, Greggs, Griers, Lincolns, 
Nourses, Wilsons, Thayers, Studleys, and Keycs, while Robinsons, Gilmorcs, 
Wallaces, Davidsons,^ Parkers, Moutgonierys and others wore clustered 
in the " middle of the town." 



LETTERS. 117 

" Park's Hollow," " Derry Hill," Cold River, the trout brooks, the broad 
green pastures, the beech, and the hemlock woods, the sugar orchards, the 
potash kettles, the berry-fields, the rabbits, partridges, squirrels, the boys 
and girls, the singing-schools, and the spelling-schools, the haying time and 
husking time, the cider-mills, the whole barrels of apple-sauce, the butter and 
the cheese, (specimens of which were sure to find their way to the minister's 
house), but above all the people of fifty years ago, sturdy and healthy in 
body and in mind. Old Scotch brains, keen as a razor in separating the 
true and the false, the precious and the vile — powerful in "arguing" and 
staunch against sophistry, as their rocky hills themselves — honest in thought, 
sober in industry, true and noble in friendship, sympathetic in trouble, 
generous and brave in action. 

Acworth, as it was then, is good to the memory — the whole picture is 
fresh, pure and wholesome. Away from most of the influences which cor- 
rupt and degenerate society, yet favored less by the inaccessibility of its 
mountainous location, than by the impregnable virtues which the fathers 
taught and their sons and daughters cherished. 

I must shape my plans to jje with you on the anniversary, if Providence 
will permit. Very many reasons beside the one so naturally influential with 
me, induce me to come. 

My honored and beloved father, so largely identified with the history of 
Acworth, reposes in your cemetery, and in the affections of his children 
most loviogly, as I doubt not he does in the memory of very many of his 
flock, still alive in Acworth, Very respectfully and cordially yours, 

GrEORQB CoOKE. 

A tree in commemoration of the Centennial Anniversary has 
been planted upon the Common by ]\Ir. Granville Gilmore. 



PART II. 

History of Acwortli. 



CHAPTER I. 
CIVIL HISTORY. 



The town of Acworth is situated east of Charlestown, its 
north-western corner being only about three miles from the Con- 
necticut River. Its boundaries are neai;Jy east, west, north and 
south lines. Its shape is almost square, being six miles and a 
half in length, north and south, by five miles and three-quarters 
in width. Perry's Mountain is situated at its north-western cor- 
ner. Coffin Hill near its north-eastern, and Gates Hill near its 
south-eastern. Cold Pond covers its north-eastern boundary, and 
Cold River, its outlet, flows along the eastern and southern sides 
of the town, only that it is compelled at its head by the spurs of 
Coffin Hill to make a detour into Lempster, and is prevented by 
Gates Hill and ridges connected with it, from approaching the 
southern boundary of the town until it reaches its south-western 
corner. 

The church at the center of the town is 1397 feet above the 
level of the sea, and there are dwelling-houses on sites still higher 
than this. The views around Acworth are unsurpassed, in some 
respects, by any in the State. To the spectator on Derry Hill, 
a beautiful panorama of the Green Mountains extending from 
Northern Vermont into Massachusetts, is spread out, Ascutney 
being; on the right hand and Monadnoc on the left. From the brow 
of the hill, beyond school-house No. 4, a view of Ascutney from 
its base to its top is obtained. From (Joffin Hill, the highest point 
in town, the White Mountains, on a clear day, can be seen. 
From Grout and Derry Hills the arable portions of the town are 
seen by the spectator, showing its beautiful farms, for Acworth 
claims to be one of the best hill towns in the State for farrain";. 




^^a-i^t.<^c ^f^^-fyiJiP^^^ 




Mrs. Elizabeth Adams Grout. 



GEOLOGY— BERYLS AND OTHEE MINERALS. 119 

The underlying rock is principally mica slate, in which are 
large veins of granite. The outcropping ledges, and loose 
boulders on the surface, are not so numerous as in most other hill 
towns of New Hampshire, though the farmers think in some fields 
they are plenty enough. There is a boulder on the Symonds 
farm, measuring thirty feet in circumference, which is so poised as 
to seem to be easily moved, and to which geologists have given 
the name of the " Rocking Boulder." 

The most interesting locality to the mineralogist, is " William's 
Ledge " or " Beryl Hill," celebrated for the immense size of its 
beryls which have been sold to cabinets, in various parts of the 
world. Some of these crystals are more than a foot in diameter 
and eighteen inches in length, but they are defaced by striae and 
cracks. They are however, valued for their huge size. There is 
one of them in the Imperial cabinet in Vienna, highly prized even 
in that superb collection. The Acworth beryls, when perfect, 
have a fine light blue green color, of that variety known as 
aqua marine. Some pure fragments might be cut and polished 
for jewelry. These beryls have been obtained by much labor, it 
being necessary to remove the overlying quartz, which is white, 
smoky and rose-colored. This quartz vein runs N. W. and S. E. 
and, forms the summit of the hill. It is of the purest and best 
kind, suitable for the manufacture of glass and sand-paper. From 
it fine glass tubes, suitable for chemical purposes have been pro- 
duced, almost equal to the celebrated Bohemian glass. 

Other minerals have been found here, black tourmaline largely 
crystJillized, white soda feldspar, or Cleavelandite, Columbite, and 
asbestos. Feldspar has been taken from this ledge to make porce- 
lain ware at Bennington, Vt. James Bowers expended much labor 
and capital in developing the resources of this quarry. On the 
western side of the hill is a bed of hornblende slate, cut through 
in a remarkable manner by a broken vein of compact feldspar. 

The town of Acworth is situated upon territory once claimed 
by Massachusetts. According to the Masonian charter, the 
boundary line of New Plampshire commenced three miles north 
of the mouth of the Merrimac, and followed the river to its head, 
and extended thence in a north-western direction until a point sixty 
miles from the sea was reached. At the time the charter was 
granted, the bend in the Merrimac was unknown. New Hamp- 
shire claimed, that the spirit of the charter required that the line 
should run west from the bend in the river. Massachusetts, on the 



120 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

Other hand, claimed a literal construction of the charter. The case 
was decided in favor of New Hampshire. 

Massachusetts then called upon New Hampshire, to provide for 
the forts which she had established in the disputed territory. 
This New Hampshire refused to do, as her settlements being east 
of the Merrimac were not sufficiently benefited by these forts 
to warrant the expense. In 1762, the question of reimbursing 
Massachusetts for her expense in keeping up Fort Dummer by 
granting her the disputed territory was agitated. This quickened 
the Governor of New Hampshire to grant several charters for 
towns In that quarter, chiefly towns previously settled under 
Massachusetts charters. This was doubtless the occasion of g-rant- 
ing the charter of the town of Burnet in 1752, although at that 
time the hostility of the Indians made it impossible to live at any 
distance from Fort No. 4. This charter of course was forfeited 
by failure to settle. In the description of its boundaries Unity is 
called Buckingham. Burnet covered exactly the same territory 
granted in 1766 to the same leading proprietor, Col. Sampson 
Stoddard, though with different associates, under the name of 
Acworth. The conquest of Canada had put an end to the Indian 
wars several years before Acworth was granted, and only now and 
then was a wandering Indian seen by its early settlers. 

The name of Acworth was probably given to the town by the 
Governor, in honor of a friend of his, Lord Acworth. The pro- 
prietors were mostly citizens of towns bordering on the Merrimac 
River in Massachusetts, and of Londonderry, N. H. Among them 
we find the names of Benning Wentworth the Governor,* John 
Wentworth, last Colonial Governor of New Hampshire, Theodore 
Atkinson, Secretary of State, Matthew Thornton, afterwards 
signer of the Declaration of Independence and delegate to the 
Continental Congress from New Hampshire. None of these pro- 
prietors ever settled In Acworth. 

The land was divided into seventy parts. Five hundred acres, 
to be reckoned as two shares, were allowed to the Governor. 
This was set off in the north-western corner, on "Perry's Moun- 
tain." One share each was allotted to the " Society for the prop- 
agation of the Gospel in foreign parts," and for a glebe for the 
church of England. The lands which fell to these shares are now 
held by a perpetual lease, and the income from the rent is enjoyed 
by the Protestant Episcopal Church in West Claremont. One 
share was allotted to the first settled minister in town, and fell to 



THE CHARTER OF 1766— FIRST SETTLEMENTS. 121 

Rev. Mr. Archibald, and was sold by him when he left town. 
One share was reserved for schools which was sold, and the in- 
come is devoted to school purposes. One share, as near the cen- 
ter as possible, was to be laid off in town lots, one being assigned 
to each proprietor. The remaining sixty-three shares were dis- 
tributed among the sixty-three proprietors. 

Among the privileges granted was the holding of an annual 
fair and weekly markets, which the inhabitants never availed them- 
selves of Among the conditions was the annual tribute of one 
ear of Indian corn, if lawfully demanded, during the first ten years. 
Tradition does not say that the demand was ever made. After 
ten years, each proprietor or settler was to pay a tribute of a shil- 
ling for each hundred acres possessed, which first fell due on the 
25th of December, 1776, but the Declaration of Independence eifect- 
ually stayed the payment. Another condition was inserted to in- 
duce the speedy settlement of the town : five acres for every fifty 
owned, were to be brought under cultivation by every proprietor, 
under pain of forfeiture, and reversion to the crown. 

As the charter was not signed until the 19th of September, 
there was no time for settlement that year, but in 1767 three 
young men from Connecticut, William Keyes, Joseph Chatterton, 
and Samuel Smith, were induced to choose farms in the newly 
granted town. They immediately began to clear these forms, and 
in the spring of 1768 William Keyes brought his young wife to 
the cabin he had built. She with an infant a few months old 
made the journey from Ashford, Ct., in an ox-cart, in which also 
was stowed all the household goods they brought with them. 
They settled on the farm now occupied by Hon. Jesse Slader. 

They were joined during the year by Joseph Chatterton, who 
boarded with Mr. Keyes and cleared a farm near by, and Samuel 
Harper who erected a cjlbin where Hiram Hayward now lives, and 
John Ivogers of Londonderry, who built his cabin where Alonzo 
Mathewson now resides. 

The first settlements near the center of the town were made the 
next year by Henry Silsby, where Mrs. Willard Pcrham now re- 
sides, and by Ephraim Keyes, near William Hay ward's present 
house, and by Samuel Smith, Sr., a little below the old burying- 
ground. These were all Connecticut men. They were followed 
from their native State by comparatively few. But the Con- 
necticut settlers wielded a large influence in town, and most of 
them were the progenitors of a numerous posterity, and a large 
16 



122 • THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

propoi'tion of the inhabitants of the town during the last two gen- 
erations could claim relationship to them, besides very many who 
have emigrated from Acworth. 

According to the charter, the first town meetino- was to be held 
on the 2d Tuesday of October, 1866, to be called and moderated by 
Colonel Stoddard, which of course was not held because no one 
was living in town, but upon petition of the settlers, a town meet- 
ing was first called on the 2d Tuesday of March, 1771. 

The condition of the charter, as to the amount of land to be 
brought under cultivation, within the term of five years, not being 
complied with, the charter was forfeited in September, 1771. The 
proprietors immediately petitioned for an extension. A committee 
was sent in May, 1772, by the Governor to inspect the settlement 
and report upon its growth and improvement. 

They reported two hundred and sixty-seven acres of improved 
land in town, and one hundred and twenty-one acres partly cleared. 
This land was all in what now constitutes school districts Nos. 
1, 2 and 3, except one dozen acres on the Ira Wheeler place, in 
No. 4, and about twenty acres partly cleared in No. 5, where 
George W. Lathrop now resides, and about four acres partly 
cleared at the gast-mill in South Acworth. 

There were thirteen houses in town, six of which have already 
been spoken of, and the other seven were situated thus : Dean 
Carleton's, a little out of the village on the road leading to Derry 
Hill ; David Cross, where Ira Wheeler afterwards lived ; Elijah 
Parker, where Lauriston Keyes now resides ; Joseph Chatterton 
and James Pease, west of Deacon John Grout's, — they were the 
only persons in town who had a barn ; Robert Davidson, where 
Thomas B. Hayward now resides ; Solomon Bigelow on what is 
best known as the Jacob Hayward place. Thomas Putnam had 
built a good grist-mill, saw-mill and house at South Acworth. 
There were but two carriage roads in town, one leading from 
Charlestown, over the hill, past Hiram Hayward's, and running 
near Benjamin P. Wood's, then across to Henry Silsby's inn, 
(Mrs. Willard Perham's,) over the hills, past the Jonathan Mitch- 
ell farm, and so on to East Acworth and Dempster. From 
Charlestown to Mr. Silsby's it was a good carriage road, the re- 
mainder of the way a wagon might pass with difficulty. There 
was also a good road from the middle of the town to the mill. 
Besides these, there were bridle paths to the various houses. 
This was the condition of Acworth in 1772. Thirteen houses, 



FIRST SETTLERS. 123 

probably all log cabins, one barn, one grist-mill, one saw-mill, 
eight miles of carriage road, and perhaps twenty-five legal voters. 
The town, however, continued to receive accessions through the 
troublous times preceding and during the Revolutionary War. 
Thomas Putnam was soon joined at South Acworth by Joseph 
and William Markham, Alexander Houston and Christopher 
Ayres, and at the close of the war, by Thomas Slader and others. 
Near the close of the Revolution, the McClures made the first set- 
tlement in the neighborhood which has ever since borne their 
name. In 1781 Isaac Gates made the first settlement on Gates' 
Hill, joined in a few years by Jabez Alexander, and Ezra George. 
Thomas Clark made the first settlement in the Tracy district, fol- 
lowed soon by Issachar Mayo, Joseph Blanchard and others. Col. 
Ebenezer Grout settled first upon "Grout Hill" in 1782, Jonas 
Keyes built the first house in East Acworth, or "Keyes Hollow." 
The settlers for the first twenty years came from Londonderry, 
New Hampshire, except a few influential families, as the Keyeses, 
Sladers and Silsbys, who carne from Connecticut, and the Grouts 
and others from Massachusetts. From that time, for several years, 
a tide of immigration set in from New Boston, Weare, and the 
surrounding towns, settling mainly on Grout Hill, and in the 
north part of the town. The earliest settlers brought their effects 
on ox-carts, up the river from Connecticut, and around through 
Keene from Londonderry. When on horseback they came 
through Washington and Lempster. 

It was in many respects more of an undertaking for a young 
wife to leave her parents in Connecticut, Massachusetts or Lon- 
donderry, and follow her hardy pioneer husband into the for- 
ests of Acworth, than it is now to go to the far West. Though 
parents wept, expecting to see their faces no more, yet in a few 
years at farthest, the young couple would^pay a visit to their old 
homes, the wife on horseback, with a babe in her arms, and per- 
haps another child on a pillion,while the husband walked by her 
side. Many visits were paid in this way. These women were 
worthy mates of their daring husbands. Many incidents are still 
related of their courage and fearlessness. 

While Mrs. William Keyes one day was alone in her cabin, she 
heard an outcry in the pig-pen. Fastening her infant child in 
the house, she ran out to ascertain the cause, when lo, a bear was 
seen seizing their pig, the only reliance for meat during the coming 
winter. The exigency called for prompt action. Seizing a cudgel 



124 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

she attacked the bear. But he patiently endured the beatinpj, 
being intent upon his prey, which he bore off in triumph. But 
his day of reckoning speedily came. Through the efforts of Mr. 
Keyes he took the place of the pig in the meat-barrel, so the 
family were supplied with meat, inferior in quality indeed, but 
more in quantity than they had anticipated. 

Often during the first season a coverlet sufficed as a door to 
the cabins. The wolves were sometimes bold enough to lift the 
edge of the coverlet and survey the household as they sat around 
the blazing hearth on winter evenings ; or if a solid door pre- 
vented this their fixces might be seen against the window-panes. 
But the women did not go into hysterics, nor refuse to be left alone 
in the house under these circumstances. 

So far from having carpets on their floors, they were sometimes 
forced to have only the earth for a fioor^ which became hardened 
and polished by use, and the housewife took special pride in mak- 
ino- it shine. The big stone chimney sometimes served a double 
purpose, and supplied the only staircase in the house. Hemlock 
bark always constituted the first roof of the cabin. The single 
room down stairs often served the purpose of kitchen, dining-room, 
parlor and bedroom, while the loft was reserved for strangers. 
Two rooms on the first floor were considered amply sufficient. 
Yet these humble cabins were as generally the abodes of happi- 
ness as the more comfortable dwellings in which the inhabitants of 
our town are now housed, and probably were the witnesses of more 
mirth and hilarity. The people had the generosity and open- 
heartedness common to pioneer settlers. The new-comer always 
found neighbors ready to assist him in rolling up the logs of his 
cabin and in making his first clearing. 

For this purpose a " frolic " was made, and undoubtedly 
they made a frolic of it. There were also husking-parties and 
apple-bees Innumerable, besides many other gatherings for young 
and old. There were also " road-breakings " in the winter. 
Those who lived at the outskirts of the town would start first 
through the drifts to their nearest neighbors with their teams, 
when another yoke of oxen would be attached, and so on from 
house to house, until long teams might be seen pouring Into the 
middle of the town from every direction ; when there a rush was 
made upon the stores and taverns, " black-strap " flowed freely 
for the time, sending some home in not a very fit condition to 
meet their families. But when we consider their privations and 



FIRST SETTLERS. 125 

hardships, and the age in which they lived, we can pardon these 
infirmities. We have no need to speak of their industry to those 
who know that these hills and valleys were heavily timbered, and 
those who have seen the " stone fences " of Acworth. 

The chief problem presented to them was not, What can I 
most profitably raise, and what can I more economically buy ? 
Money was scarce, and the means of intercommunication and 
transit were few and expensive. They studied therefore to live as 
much as possible within themselves. They studied to produce 
not only food, but clothing for their families, and thus they became 
manufacturers as well as farmers. Linen, tow and woolen goods 
were manufactured, and soon in such abundance as to become an 
article of export, some families selling one hundred dollars' worth 
annually. Nor were all these fabrics coarse. Acworth linen was 
noted for its fineness as well as its abundance. Miss Peggy 
McClure received the premium at the county fair for the quality 
of her linen. In those days of large families and industrious 
habits, there was little anxiety as to the future of their sons and 
daughters. The sons had but to buy a tract of the wilderness 
which was cheap and near at hand, and begin to make for them- 
selves homes as their fathers had done. The daughters did not 
go to the city to purchase their trousseau in anticipation of their 
wedding, but they were provided with flax, wool and often raw 
cotton in abundance, and their busy fingers wrought a bountiful 
supply of material for setting up housekeeping usually long before 
it was needed. Thus it required no long purse to start a son or 
daughter in life. The simple habits of the early settlers did not 
require that calculating prudence which our more artificial man- 
ner of life and accumulating wants compel us to exercise. Some- 
times we think it would have been more for their comfort to have 
exercised more forethought. For instance they had no wood- 
sheds, and a wood-pile was seen at every door with the axe in the 
end of a log, ready for use in cutting the daily supply, which we 
have no doubt was often forgotten. One instance at least has 
come down to us, where the farmer went to his day's labor for- 
getting to cut the usual supply of wood. On returning at noon 
he found the dinner- pot hanging in the fire-place with the dinner 
all prepared in it, ready to boil when a fire was made. He took 
the hint, but whether he ever forgot to chop wood again for his 
wife we know not. 

The settlers from Londonderry were large of stature, with mus- 



126 THE HISTORY OF AC WORTH. 

cular • frames. They were conservative, which peculiarity is still 
marked in their descendants. They were tenacious in their opin- 
ions, and jealous of their rights. 

They were reverent and scrupulous observers of the forms of 
religion, even when there was no hearty piety. One peculiarity 
seems strangely blended with these. They delighted in rough 
practical jokes and boisterous fun. Fighting was a common prac- 
tice on " town meeting " and " muster days," even by those who 
seemed very sedate and dignified on other occasions. Part of this 
doubtless must be credited to New England rum, which most of 
them unfortunately loved, and a part to their rough pioneer life. 
In regard to this, their descendants have very much improved, 
for the peaceableness and propriety of Acworth assemblages at 
the present day is a matter of remark. The following inci- 
dent illustrates their love of practical jokes : While Capt. John 
Duncan was commander of the military company, some of the 
younger members headed by Parley Keyes, were guilty of some 
neglect of duty, and thereby incurred a fine. Keyes had con- 
siderable influence in the company, and the Captain foresaw that 
there might be difliculty in enforcing a collection of the fines. 
He saw Keyes privately, and unfolded to him a plan whereby 
he might play a practical joke upon his brother delinquents. At 
the next training Keyes should step out before the company, 
acknowledge his fault, pay over the fine, and advise his com- 
rades to do the same. Duncan intimated to him, however, that 
he would refund to him his own fine. Keyes agreed to play his 
part of the joke, and the plan worked most admirably, the delin- 
quents following the example of Keyes, walked up and paid their 
fines. Time passed on, and Keyes not having his money refunded 
as he expected, complained to the Captain. With a toss of the 
head, Capt. Duncan replied, '"''Some I flatter and some I drive.''^ 

At a subsequent training, after the above incident had appar- 
ently been forgotten, Capt. Duncan, as the custom was, wanting 
to treat his compan}^, handed some money to Keyes who was a ser- 
geant, and directed him to go to Mr. Plenry's store and buy some 
rum. The liquor came and was used. A few days after Mr. 
Henry called Capt. Duncan into his store and presented a bill for 
rum on training day. Capt. Duncan settled the bill, and on 
meeting Keyes inquired, with much indignation, why he had not 
paid for the rum. Imitating the captain's manner, he replied, 
'■''Some I flatter, and some I drive.''^ 



A SECESSION MOVEMENT. 127 

The Governor of New Plampsliire had claimed what is now the 
State of Vermont as part of New Hampshire, and had granted 
numerous town charters within that territory. The colony of New 
York also claimed the territory. The dispute was settled in 1764 
by a royal order extending the jui'isdiction of New York to the 
Connecticut Eiver. The settlers holding their titles under the New 
Hampshire grants, were unwilling to agree to this settlement, and 
during the troubles of the Ke volution erected an independent gov- 
ernment. This produced discontent through the valley of the 
Connecticut, the towns on both sides of the river being intimately 
associated and unwilling to be separated. Some movements were 
made to erect a new State in the valley, to be called New Con- 
necticut. To prevent this movement, in March, 1778, Vermont 
admitted sixteen towns on the west side of the river to represen- 
tation in her Legislature, but she gave them up upon the remon- 
strance of New Hampshire. However strongly the people of Ac- 
worth may have felt upon this subject, they did not act officially, 
until December 11, 1780, when, in connection with Lempster and 
Unity, they chose Daniel Grout to represent them in the General 
Assembly of New Hampshire, raising at the same time a large 
committee to instruct him whether to go, and upon what condi- 
tions. They also chose Henry Silsby and John Duncan to attend 
a convention of the New Hampshire grants held at Charlestown. 
This convention was the result of a previous one held at Walpole, 
at which also Acworth was represented, which meeting resulted 
in a resolution, complaining that New Hampshire was willing that 
the valley towns should be divided by the river, and calling a con- 
vention at Charlestown. This convention met January 16, 1781, 
and soon adjourned to Cornish, to be near the Vermont Legislature, 
then in session at Windsor. The result was articles of union be- 
tween the New Hampshire grants and Vermont. March 30, 
1781, Acworth accepted these articles of union, and John Duncan 
was chosen representative, and on the 5th of April, and in con- 
junction with the representatives of thirty-five other towns, he 
was admitted to a seat in the Vermont Legislature. Town meet- 
ings were called in the name of the State of Vermont during the 
remainder of the year, and jurymen were drawn for the Vermont 
courts. A letter, however, from Gen. Washington to the Gover- 
nor of Vermont, led the Legislature of that State to take action 
on the matter. . Taking advantage of the absence of the members 
from the eastern side of the river, a resolution relinquishing all 



128 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

claim to that territory was passed February 22, 1782, and when 
these members arrived they were excluded. It is by no means cer- 
tain that John Duncan, the Acworth representative, was among 
this number, for the town had previously been considering whether 
it would not be better to return to the allegiance of New Hamp- 
shire, and had, February 1st, agreed to pay the taxes assessed by 
New Hampshire for 1782, provided those of 1781 were not in- 
sisted upon, and on the 25th of February the annual March meet- 
ing was warned in the name of New Hampshire. Thus ended 
the only secession movement of which Acworth was ever guilty. 
We infer that the movement was not very hearty or unanimous, 
from the following facts: 1st, a protest is entered upon the records, 
calling in question the legality of the annual March meeting ; and 
2d, the highway tax was only worked out by a part of the inhab- 
itants in 1781, and its collection was not enforced ; od, early steps 
were taken to return to New Hampshire. We also infer that the 
movement was not considered creditable to the town from the fact 
that no tradition of it has been handed down from father to son. 

The population of the town neai'ly doubled between 1790 and 
1800, as will be seen by reference to the census. Settlers came 
in from Weare, New Boston and vicinity in great numbers, and 
many also from other places. There were more inhabitants in 
town in 1800 than now. The villages, however, were quite small, 
Samuel Slader kept a hotel in the large square house at the corner 
of the common, James Wallace lived in a house by the public 
well. West of that there was no house until Jacob Hayward's, 
(Barnet C. Finlay's.) On the north Mr. Silsby's (Mrs. Per- 
ham's) was the nearest. Towards the east were Gawin Gilmore, 
' — (J. H. Dickey's,) Amos Keyes, (William Hay ward,), and a little 
below, Ephraim Keyes. The only house south of the tavern was 
Dr. Grout's, (Nath'l Warner's.) Mr. Gilmore had a black- 
smith's shop where C. M. Woodbury now lives, and Isaac Nes- 
mith's blacksmith's shop stood where the school-house now does. 
James Wallace was the shoemaker, and Hugh Henry the mer- 
chant. His store was on the site where Col. C. K. Brooks' house 
now stands. There were only four houses in South Acworth. 
An incident happened in 1800 which shows the strictness of 
the times. Isaac Nesmith was on his way home from London- 
derry when the Sabbath overtook him at Washington. As the 
snow was rapidly disappearing he felt obliged to hasten home, but 
could start only by permission of the tithing man. Being sto^iped 



EMIGRATION. 129 

on the road by a man who was at ivork In his barn, and who 
threatened to prosecute him, he could proceed only by showino- 
his permit. 

As the stream of immigration began to subside, the stream of 
emigration gradually rose. As at the present time, these emi- 
grants scattered far and wide. The largest bodies of them, how- 
ever, settled in Washington County, Vt., about Lake Champlain, 
and Jefferson and Alleghany Counties, N. Y., and in Ashtabula 
County, O. Parley Keyes was one of the earliest of the emi- 
grants. An incident in his life illustrates the character of these 
men. In the year 1814 he and a neighbor became bondsmen for 
a paymaster in the army. This man became a defaulter to the 
amount of sixty thousand dollars, and his bondsmen were oblioed 
to make up the loss. He reported that the money had been sto- 
len from him, but Judge Keyes became convinced that he had the 
money concealed, though he could prove nothing. Not feeling 
willing to lose the money he determined to resort to desperate 
measures to bring the truth to light. Carefully ascertaining how 
long a person could probably remain under water without drown- 
ing, he and his fellow-bondsman induced the defaulter to meet 
them upon the banks of Black River. Here they assured him of 
their conviction that he knew where the money was, and of their 
determination to drown him at once if he did not divulge his se- 
cret. Unmoved he exclaimed "he knew nothing of the matter." 
This was no sooner said than he was plunged into the water. 
Upon being brought to the surface he re-asserted his innocence. 
He was immediately put back into the water. When drawn out 
again he appeared like a lifeless corpse. But he recovered his 
voice only to re-assert his innocence stoutly. Affairs were becom- 
ing desperate, but Judge Keyes was equal to the emergency. 
He told him in a tone that convinced the guilty man that he was 
in earnest, that they would sink his body in the water never to 
emerge with life, and hurry his soul before the judgment seat with 
all its guilt upon it, did he not confess at once. Whereupon the 
secret was immediately disclosed and the place of concealment re- 
vealed. Judge Keyes hastened to the house, and to the chamber 
indicated, and knocked, A stir was heard within but no response. 
Bursting open the door he found the wife of the guilty man sit- 
ting upon the bed. Not finding the money in the trunk where he 
had been told to look, he immediately removed the woman fi'om 
the bed, and there found the money concealed in a (juilted garment. 
17 



130 THE HISTORY OF AC WORTH. 

When the defaulter returned to the house his wife was not to be 
found, but soon intelligence was brought that she had been seen 
crossing the fields in the direction of the river. Her body was 
soon found in its depths, convincing the community of what they 
had suspected, that she was the instigator of the crime. 

The emigrants from Acworth are now scattered from Canada to 
the Gulf and from one ocean to the other. They have generally 
carried the church and the school with them wherever they have 
settled.* 

SPOTTED FEVER. 

The spotted fever of 1812, was the most fatal epidemic ever 
known in Acworth, Thomas Grier, had visited Massachusetts 
with his wife, and upon their return they were both prostrated 
by sickness. Jennie their oldest daughter, a strong healthy girl 
of nineteen, prepared dinner for a party of young men, who had 
come to provide the family with their winter's wood. After 
placing the food upon the table, she was taken with a violent 
headache. Dr. Carleton was called and immediately pronounced 
the case " spotted fever," medicine made no impression, and before 
midnight she was a corpse. The next case was a child of John 
Davidson's, near Derry Hill school-house. The disease spread 
rapidly, there being cases in opposite parts of the town at the 
same time. Most the people were more or less affected by 
premonitory symptons, and it was considered contagious by every 
one. The weather was extremely cold, all business and labor were 
suspended, except what was absolutely necessary, and while a 
universal fear and gloom pervaded every family in the town, 
very few refused to go when needed, either in case of sickness, or 
in burying the dead. The funerals were well attended, and dur- 
ing the first weeks the bereaved families, as far as they could, 
provided mourning suits, but as the disease progressed, the mourn- 
ing. habiliments were deferred for the time. Few families in town 
escaped without loss of relatives, more or less distant, requir- 
ing according to the custom mourninjj garments ; and after the 
merchants brought home their spring goods, the whole population 
seemed to be clad in the habiliments of woe. As the spring opened, 
the disease assumed a milder form, but not until it had carried off 
fifty-three of the inhabitants. 

♦for a notice of the Davidsons, pioneer settlers in Alleghany County, X. Y., and 
the Warrens, early settlers in Cuyahoga County, O., see sketches of their families, in 
Genealogy. 





Mrs. Sally Wilson 



SPOTTED FEVER — THE COMMON. 131 

The disease returned during the winter and spring of 1813-14, 
but physicians had more control then over it than during the pre- 
vious year, and it passed away with the opening of spring. The 
foUowing is an extract from a letter written in Acworth, April 
1, 1812, by Miss Sally Nesmith, (now Wilson,) who was quite 
active as a nurse during the prevalence of the fever, to her sister 
Mrs, Peggy Morrison of Londonderry : 

"We are all well at present, but how loug we may be so favored God only 
know.s, for many sicken and die in a few hours. Mr. McCollum's family 
were all well last Saturday, yet this afternoon he and three of his children 
were buried. Their corpses with one other, Sally McMurphy, were brought 
to the meeting-house, and a discourse was delivered by Mr. Wells of Alstcad, 
from the words, " Lord, save us, we perish," to a large concourse of peo- 
ple from this and the ueighboriug towns. The like was never before seen in 
this town. Five lying dead at one time. There has been a great many 
deaths here. S. Silsby of Lempster'and Ira Ladd of Alstead both died in 
town. John Davidson has buried three children, James Davidson one, 
George March two, Capt. Joseph Gregg two. Col. John Duncan three, Mr. 
Stone one, Jacob Hayward one, John Bailey one, Maj. Grout one, Joel 
Angier one, all of spotted fever. Mrs. Parkes died of consumption, Mr, 
Moores of typhus fever. Last Friday night George Clark's wife, who was 
insane, set fire to the house she was confined in, and before the fire was dis- 
covered she and the house were almost consumed. Mr. Grier is very low, 
and is not expected to recover. His son James has had the fever but is bet- 
ter. I watched at Mr. Perham's last Saturday night. They are all sick 
but Mr. P. and the youngest child, but are getting better. Last night I 
watched with young Samuel Anderson, who has been very sick, but he too 
is recovering. For three weeks I have done nothing but help to take care 
of the sick and attend funerals. I sleep always when I can get time, for 
there are so many sick that people are bad off for watchers, and I am 
busy most of the time. If the fever should continue as bad as it has been, 
I am afraid there will not be enough well people to take care of the sick." 

THE COMMON. 
The common was given to the town by three persons, viz., John 
Keyes, Henry Silsby and Ephraim Keyes. The first deed, dated 
1773, conveyed from John Keyes a parcel of land sixteen rods by 
fifteen, in the north-eastern corner of lot 10, 6th range, on condi- 
tion that the inhabitants of the town should build the meeting- 
house on or near the spot. The northern line of the lot runs just 
in front of the present church, and the eastern line extends along 
the road leading to South Acworth. In the same year Henry 



132 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

Silsby also gave a parcel of land of the same shape and size in the 
south-eastern corner of lot 11, 6th range, "for the use of a meet- 
ing-house spot, training field, and other accommodations of said 
town, as long as it should be so used." Upon this spot stands the 
present church and town-house. In 1783 Ephraim Keyes con- 
veyed to the town a parcel of land very irregular in shape, situated 
in the corners of lots 10 and 11, 6th range, adjacent to each other 
and to the common already belonging to the town. On the last day 
of June and first of July, 1772, the citizens of Acworth met by 
appointment to "chop down the common, and as much land for 
Ephraim Keyes as he had cleared on the common." It seems from 
this and other votes that the town entered upon the possession of 
the conmion a year or two before the land was deeded to them. 

THE CEMETERIES. 

The first public burying-ground was on the common, although 
two children of Samuel Harper, tlie first persons buried in town, 
M^ere interred near the residence of Hiram Hayward, and proba- 
bly others were buried in private grounds. The first person in- 
terred upon the common, according to tradition, was Hannah Wil- 
son, daughter of "big" John Wilson, who died 1776. In 1776, a 
committee of the town selected what is known as the " old burying- 
ground," and Lieut. James Rogers, one of the committee and select- 
man for that year, was the first person buried there. In 1834, the 
"old burying-ground" becoming crowded, a cemetery was laid 
out in the field afterwards used for the Centennial Celebration. 
In the beginning of the next year two processions met there bear- 
ing the first corpses brought into the grounds, the remains of Mrs. 
Sophia Newmari, and of Mrs. Richardson. In 1847, this ground 
proving unsuitable for burial purposes, the present cemetery was 
purchased, and the bodies .were removed to it from the other. 
This ground was tastefully laid out, and great care has been taken 
of it by the sexton, Mr. Granville Gilmore, who deserves much 
praise for the interest he has taken in this matter during the many 
years he has had charge of the cemetery. The first monument in 
it was erected to the memory of Rev. Phineas Cooke. It now 
contains many handsome monuments, and is certtiinly a credit to 
the town. 

SCHOOLS, 

We find the first mention of the school-house which stood on 
the conmion, in 1778. During this year town meetings were 





^^2-t5<^^^^^-^>hs^<^^ 



SCHOOLS— TEMPERANCE. 133 

held in this school-house. There were schools in town before this, 
however, for the first teacher, Samuel Smith, removed from town 
in 1773. The first vote to divide the town into districts was in 
1786. In 1790, the toAvn was divided into nine districts, which 
were substantially the same as at present, except the Slader dis- 
trict, which included the greater part of what is now districts 7, 
8 and 9. No. 12 was included in the John Duncan district, and 
'No. 13 was at a comparatively recent period set off from the ad- 
joining districts. In early days female teachers were expected 
to teach sewing and knitting, as well as reading and spellino-. 
An attempt was made to obtain a list of the native teachers, 
but it was found one might almost as well make out a list of the 
inhabitants of the town. 

TEMPEEANCE. 

In early years New England rum was seen in every house, 
and was used on every occasion. The minister, even, kept a 
little choice West India rum to treat his brethren, and plenty 
of an inferior article for his lay visitors. Ac worth was not be- 
hind her sister towns, probably, in this respect, for her sons 
were certainly "mighty to drink strong drink," as well as to 
subdue the rugged hills which they had chosen for their home. 
No doubt the hardships of pioneer life fostered the habit of drink- 
ing. One of the earliest settlers was accustomed to I'emark, that 
"Acworth never would have been settled, had it not been for 
New England rum." It was not then known that the temperate 
man was best able to endure hardships. The' "Temperance Soci- 
ety" was formed September 30, 1829. Its officers for the first 
year Avere, Lemuel Lincoln, President; Edward Woodbury, Vice- 
President; and John Lancaster, Secretary, At the annual meet- 
ing in 1830, it was reported that there " had been a diminution 
in the use of ardent spirits of two-thirds within three years." In 
1833, " it was ascertained that forty farms in this town are now 
managed without the use of distilled spirit, and that most of our 
mechanics have excluded it from their shops." This certainly 
was a great change. The last recorded meeting of this society 
was in 1840. 

The "Acworth Washington Total Abstinence Society" was or- 
ganized November 30, 1841. The interest in temperance was 
then greatly increased, and several influential men, who had stood 
aloof from the old society, now joined the new one. This society 



134 TPIE HISTORY OF AC WORTH. 

continued in active operation more than ten years, and effected 

much jTood. There has been also in town a division of the Sons 

of Temperance, which wielded a powerful influence for good. " 

Acworth has certainly redeemed her character in regard to the use 

of" intoxicating liquors, and she now stands fair as a temperance 

town. 

ladies' charitable society. 

The "Ladies' Charitable Society" of Acworth was organized 
July 2, 1816, with 138 members. Rev. Mr. Cooke preached a ser- 
mon from Ecclesiastes xi. 1,2: " Cast thy bread upon the waters : 
for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, 
and also to eight." The object of the society was to foster a spirit 
of benevolence among the ladies. They adopted a constitution 
and by-laws which had been drafted by Mr. Cooke. The officers 
were to consist of a President and a Secretary, who was also to 
be Treasuress. Any lady could become a member by paying 
twenty-five cents annually. Up to the present time this society 
has preserved its organization, and from time to time for more than 
fifty years, has met to work for benevolent purposes. Its first an- 
nual contribution was appropriated to translate the Bible into 
heathen languages. This was very soon after the first missiona- 
ries had gone forth under the auspices of the American Board. 
They soon became interested in the education of young men for 
the ministry, and at their second annual meeting they voted a por- 
tion of their annual contribution to assist Mr. William McCollum, 
a native of town, who was then at Kimball Union Academy, pre- 
paring for the ministry. In 1819, we find them making a dona- 
tion to Kev, Amos Foster who was then in Dartmouth College, 
and at another time to Rev. Daniel Lancaster. During all these 
years they contributed to the various benevolent objects of the day, 
more generally, however, to the New Hampshire Home Mission- 
ary Society. The blinds on the Congregational Church were a 
gift from this society, and many other home objects have received 
assistance from it. The society has also often contributed cloth- 
ino-, etc., to those who Avere needy residing in town. Numerous 
valuable boxes of clothing and other articles, have been sent to 
home missionaries, to the soldiers during the war, and to the 
freedmen. In the early days of the society a correct record of 
the amount and value of the work done was not kept, and there- 
fore we cannot give an accurate estimate of the whole amount 
raised by the society. Of the one hundred and thirty- eight 




'OA (yfj Aie-e^^ 



LADIES' CILVPJTABLE SOCIETY. 135 

original members, only twenty-two are now living. Although 
more than half a century old. the society is apparently as flourish- 
ing and vigorous us when fir-st organized. 

MERCHANTS. 

Among the first merchants in town, were !Mr. Towne, and Sam- 
uel Henry. AVillard Carleton, Levi Hayward, and Hugh Henrv, 
whose store was on the site of the house now owned and occupied 
by Col. C. K. Brooks, succeeded them. Thomas Heaton opened 
a store for a short time, in a building which had been used as a 
dwelling-house by James Wallace, near the public well. John 
and Nathaniel Grout, whose store stood where the dwellinf^-house 
of the late Dr. Lyman Brooks now stands, removed the buildinor 
Mr. Heaton had used, to the present site of M. M. Warner's store, 
which was used as a store until Nathaniel Grout built a new one 
on the same spot. He was succeeded by Nathaniel & D. J. 
Warner ; Warner, Woodbury & Archer : Warner & Archer ; 
D. J". & M. M. Warner, and M. M. A\'arner. Daniel Eobinson 
succeeded Hugh Henry and erected a new store, now the resi- 
dence of Col. Brooks. He was succeeded by D. D. Eobinson and 
J. Davis. J. Mills Gove and Ithiel Silsby, Gawen Gilraore and 
Leonard Gilmore have also traded in town. 

At South Acworth the mercantile firms have been : Mr. Piper, 
J. F. & J. E. Richardson, J. B. Richardson, J. F. Richardson, 
John P. Davis, James A. Wood, J. F. Paige, Charles E. Spencer. 

MILLS. 

The first grist-mill was built at South Acworth before 1772, 
and was owned by Dea. Thomas Putnam. This mill after a few 
vears was carried away by a freshet, and Mr. Henry Coffin, then 
owner, was carried oif with it and lost his life. The next mill was 
built by William Mitchell on nearly the same site, about 1790. 
His successors were, John Mitchell, Elisha Parkes, William Da- 
vis, Roswell George, J. F. Paige, and S. A. Reed. This mill was 
also swept away by high water, and Mr. Reed built a grist and 
saw-mill on the same Bite, at a cost of about $10,000. This build- 
ing is certainly creditable to the public spirit of its builder. It is 
now owned and occupied by J. F. Paige. He grinds on an aver- 
age about 15,000 bushels of grain annually, and saws about 
400.000 feet of boards There was once a grist-mill where Lau- 
riston Keyes now resides, owned by Joshua G. Silsby, and after- 



136 THE HISTORY OF AC WORTH. 

wards by Jesse Wallace. John Reed had a small grist-mill, for a 
little while, where O. K. Kemp now resides. John Thompson 
once owned a grist-mill at East Acworth, and was succeeded by- 
Rodney Buss. John Thornton once used the water jjower now 
owned by J. M. Reed to run a grist-mill. 

The first saw-mill was probably built and carried away in con- 
nection with the first grist-mill. The next mill at South Acworth 
was built by William Mitchell, who was followed by John Mitch- 
ell, Elisha Parkes, John F. Davis, Roswell George, and Barney & 
Porter. The first saw-mill in East Acworth was erected by Dea. 
William Carey, and was subsequently owned by Jonas Keyes, 
Moors Keyes, Mazelda Keyes, Levi Barney, Abel Bailey, and Si- 
mon Graves. It was rebuilt by Ambrose Alexander, and sold to 
James and Albert Spaulding. It is now owned by Rodney Buss, 
who saws about 400,000 feet of lumber annually, most of which 
he manufactures into boxes, and wooden-ware of various kinds. 
The saw-mill now belonging to Rufus Hilliard, was built by Dea. 
Jonathan, and afterwards owned by his son Dea. Henry Silsby. 
There was formerly a saw-mill just below Mr. Hilliard's, built by 
Supply Reed, and owned by Supply Reed, Jr., and by David Cur- 
rier. The saw-mill on Cold River at the foot of Gates Hill, has 
been owned and run by Robert and Thomas Clark, Winchester 
Wyman, Ruel Cr. Bascom, John Clark, and now by George F. 
Nichols. About 50,000 feet of lumber is sawed there annually. 
George and Solyman Spaulding, Wheeler & Scripture, William 
Welch and Ephraim Bixby have occupied the saw-mill now 
owned by Jason H. Boynton. He saws about 50,000 feet of 
lumber annually. Dea. Thomas Ball built a saw-mill in the west 
part of the town, which was run a few years. 

The first carding-machine in town was in the grist-mill built by 
William Mitchell. The second was in a room finished oflf in the 
saAv-mill at the bridge in South Acworth. A. M. Crosby erected 
the first mill for dressing cloth, near where the present factory 
stands. Messrs. Jones & Parks were the first manufacturers of 
woolen cloth, and their successors have been Jones & Wetherbee, 
Jones & Holden, Holden & Ryder, Ryder & Proctor, John Dean, 
John Scribner and Nathan Adams who now manufactures 6500 
yards of cassimere annually, using 8000 pounds of raw wool. Dan 
Foster built the first mill for dressing cloth in East Acworth, af- 
terwards owned by William Boardman, who sold to Seth Adams 
in 181-1. He was succeeded by Moores Keyes, who was followed 



MILLS— IVIECHANICS— PRESENT CONDITION. 137 

bj John Thornton, who did a large business in dyeing and dress- 
ing cloth, and in carding wool, for several years. He sold the mill 
to Rodney Buss, who converted it into a factory for the manufac- 
ture of bobbins and other articles of wooden-ware. John Thorn- 
ton afterwards built a large mill below the old one which he sold 
to James M. Reed, who now manufactures hoops, etc. 

Robert Holmes, Dea. William and Robert McClure, Mathew 
Towne and Rufus INIcClure have manufactured fannino;-mills. 
There was once a flax-dressing machine which was run by horse- 
power erected near Dea. Thomas Ball's, by John Lancaster. It 
did quite a business in its day. Joab Newton, Benjamin Newton, 
Robert McClure, Rufus McClure and Rufus Howe have manufac- 
tured hand rakes, and Theron Duncan carried on at one time a 
large business in manufacturing horse-rakes. John Wilson in 
early days manufactured spinning-wheels. John Moore, David 
Montgomery, William Haywood and Edward Woodbury have 
been dealers in stoves. Amos Ingalls made plows. Davidson 
& Parks were machinists. Among the early shoemakers were 
Simeon Ingalls, John Williams, Enoch Stevens, Isaac Butter- 
field, Dean Carleton, Mason Blanchard, Silas Gleason, Parmenter 
Honey, Christopher Ayres and James Wallace. Some of these 
went around from family to family to make shoes, while others 
had shops. David Campbell was the first wholesale shoemaker, 
who was succeeded by Gage & Robinson and Robinson & Chap- 
man. The " Acworth Boot & Shoe Co." was a joint stock com- 
pany which was bought out by John Blanchard. The business is 
now carried on by Blanchard & Woodbury, who manufacture about 
11,000 pairs of boots and shoes annually. The first tannery was 
established near what is now Dodge's blacksmith shop, by Lemuel 
Lincoln. He sold out to Mr. Albree and put down a new yard a 
little south of the old burying-ground, where he and after him his 
son, Dea. Amasa Lincoln, carried on the business of tanning for 
many years. David and Joseph Blanchard put down a tan-yard 
and carried on the business where O. R. Kemp now resides. A 
tannery once existed on the Underwood Brook, near George W. 
Neals'. Dea. Levi Barney put down a tannery many years ago 
in East Acworth. A clothes-pin factory has been recently erected 
by C. B. Cummings in South Acworth. 

As will be seen by reference to the census, the population of Ac- 
worth is one-third less than in 1810. Emigration to the West is 
the main cause of this decrease. Thousands have gone forth from 
18 



138 



THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 



these hills to assist In developing the resources of the great West. 
This depopulation Is mainly felt In the outskirts of the town. The 
population of the central village was probably never greater than at 
present, and South Acworth for several years has been growing rap- 
idly. The wealth of the town has not decreased as the population. 
The valuation in 1868 was $181,379; value of lands, $283,554; 
number of sheep 6,771, value $14,122 ; number of neat stock 894, 
value $43,967 ; number of horses 292, value $22,887. Amount of 
lumber annually cut, reckoned In board measure, 1,200,000 feet. 
Amount of grain raised Is estimated at 15,000 bushels. Number 
of boots and shoes manufactured by Blanchard & Woodbury, 11,000 
pairs. Amount of shoe pegs manufjictured by Maj. Ephraim Cum- 
mlngs, 5,000 bushels. Number of yards of casslmere made by Na- 
than Adams, 6,500, using 8,000 pounds of raw wool. In the manu- 
facture of wooden-ware by Rodney Buss about 400,000 feet of lum- 
ber are used. One hundred and fifty cords of wood is manufactured 
by J. M. Reed into hoops, bails, handles, etc., annually. It Is be- 
lieved that Acworth surpasses every town in the State in the amount 
of maple sugar made. In 1868, 128,400 pounds were manufactured. 

CENSUS AND KATE OF MORTALITY. 

In this table the average number of deaths annually is given, 
each decade embracing five years preceding and five succeeding 
the year in which the census was taken : 



, Year. 


Population. 


Deaths. 


Year. 


Population. 


Deaths. 


1790, . 


. . 704 




1840, . 


. . 1,450- 


18.3 


1800, . 


. . 1,376 


10 


1850, . 


. . 1.251 


23.5 


1810, . 


. . 1.523 


23 


1860, . 


. . 1,180 


27.8 


1820, . 


. . 1,479 


18.5 


1868, . 


. . 1,070 


22 


1830, . 


. . 1,401 


16.8 











MODERATORS. 




1771-3. 


Henry Silsby. 


1791. 


John Duncan. 


1774. 


Samuel Smith. 


1792-3. 


Daniel Grout. 


1775-9. 


Thomas Putnam. 


1794. 


Henry Silsby. 


1780-1. 


Daniel Grout. 


1795. 


Thomas Slader. 


1782-8. 


John Duncan. 


1796. 


Daniel Grout, Esq 


1784-6. 


Daniel Grout. 


1797-8. 


Thomas Slader. 


1787. 


John Duncan. 


1799. 


Lasell SiLshy. 


1788. 


Joseph Finlay. 


1800. 


Maj. .John Duncan 


1789. 


Jolin Duncan. 


1801-4. 


Lasell Silsby. 


1790. 


Thomas Slader. 


1805. 


William Grout. 



MODERATORS— TOWN CLERKS— TOWN TREASURERS. 139 



1806. 

1807. 

1808. 

1809-10. 

1811-14. 

1815. 

1816. 

1817-18. 

1819. 

1820. 

1821. 

1822. 

1823-4. 

1825-6. 

1827. 

1828. 

1829-30. 

1831. 

1832. 

1833-5. 



Joel Angler. 


1836. 


Gawiii Gilmore. 


1837. 


Joel Angler. 


1838. 


Lasell Silsby. 


1839. 


Joel Angler. 


1840. 


Lemuel Lincoln. 


1841. 


Edward Slader. 


]842. 


Gawin Gilmore. 


1843-5. 


Joel Angler. 


184(5. 


Gawin Gilmore. 


1847-8. 


Joel Angler. 


1849-50. 


Gawin Gilmore. 


1851. 


Ithiel Silsby. 


1852-3. 


Eliphalet Bailey. 


1854-8. 


Joel Angier. 


1859-60. 


Gawin Gilmore. 


1861. 


Eliphalet Bailey. 


1862-3. 


Jonathan Gove. 


1864. 


Ithiel Silsby. 


1865-7. 


David Blanchard. 


1868-9. 



Jonathan Gove. 
John llobb. 
Samuel Slader. 
Joel Tracy. 
Jesse Slader. 
David Blanchard. 
Joseph G. Silsby. 
Joel Tracy. 
Joseph G. Silsby. 
John Robb. 
Joel Tracy. 
John Robb. 
Joel Tracy. 
J. G. Silsby. 
C. R. Vilas. 
Zenas Slader. 
J. H. Dickey. 
Jesse Slader. 
Zenas Slader. 
William Brooks. 



TOWN CLERKS. 



1771. 
1772. 

1773-80. 

1781. 

1782-5. 

1786-90. 

1791. 

1792. 

1793-4. 

1795-6. 

1797. 

1798. 

1799-1801. 

1802. 

1803-6. 

1807-9. 

1810-12. 

1813-14. 

1815-16. 



John Rogers. 
Dean Carleton. 
Samuel Silsby, 
Peleg Sprague. 
Isaac Foster. 
Lasell Silsby. 
Thomas Slader. 
Lasell Silsby. 
James Campbell. 
James Campbell. 
Levi Hayward. 
James Campbell. 
James Campbell. 
Levi Hayward. 
Gawin Gilmore. 
Lemuel Lincoln. 
Edward Slader. 
Levi Hayward. 
Lemuel Lincoln. 



1817-18. 

1819-20. 

1821-4. 

1825-30. 

1831-2. 

1833-4. 

1835-6. 

1837-9. 

1840. 

1841-2. 

1843-6. 

1847. 

1848-51. 

1852-4. 

1855-8. 

1859-61. 

1862-5. 

1866-7. 

1868-9. 



Ellsha Parks. 
Eliphalet Bailey. 
Elisha Parks. 
Ithiel Silsby. 
Eliphalet Bailey. 
Ithiel Silsby. 
Gi'anville Gilmore. 
Joseph G. Silsby. 
Daniel J. Warner. 
C. M. Woodbury. 
J. H. Dickey. 
Joseph Davis. 
C. M. Woodbury. 
J. H. Dickey. 
C. M. Woodbury. 
S. S. Vilas. 

C. M. Woodbury. 

D. J. Warner. 
C. E. Spencer. 



TOWN TREASURERS. 



1776-7. Henry Silsby. 

1780. Henry Silsby. 

1781. Joseph Chatterton. 
1782-3. John Duncan. 
1784-5. Daniel Grout. 
1786-8. Jonathan Silsby. 

1789. Dauiel Grout. 

1790. James Campbell. 

1791. Amos Keyes. 



1792-7. 

1798-1807. 

1808-9. 

1810-11. 

1812-15. 

1816-24. 

1825-27. 

1828-9. 

1830-8. 



James Campbell. 
Daniel Nurse. 
Amos Keyes. 
Levi Hayward. 
Lemuel Lincoln. 
Edward Slader. 
Gawin Gilmore. 
Nathaniel Grout. 
Edward Slader. 



140 



THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 



1839-41. 

1842-4. 

1845-7. 

1848-51. 

1852-9. 

1860. 



<Tranville Gilmore. 
Edward Woodbury. 
David Montgomery. 
J. H. Dickey. 
David Montgomery. 
N. E. Sargent. 



1861. William Hayward. 

1862-3. C. M. Woodbury. 

1864. William Hayward. 

1865. J. G. Silsby. 

1866. CM. Woodbury. 
1867-9. N. Warner. 



SELECTMEN. 

1771. Henry Silsby, Samuel Harper, William Kcyes. 

1772. Henry Silsby, Thomas Putnam, John Rogers. 

1773. Henry Silsby, Thomas Putnam, Dean Carleton. 

1774. Samuel Harper, John Rogers, Samuel Silsby. 

1775. Samuel Harper, Thomas Putnam, George Duncan. 

1776. Thomas Putnam, Henry Silsby, John Rogers. 

1777. Ephraim Keyes, Samuel Silsby, William Clark. 

1778. Thomas Putnam, Alexander Houston, Ephraim Keyes. 

1779. Daniel Mack, Henry Silsby, James Wallace. 

1780. Henry Silsby, John Duncan, Daniel Grout. 

1781. Daniel Grout, James Campbell, Jacob Foster. 

1782. Joseph Finlay, Henry Silsby, Joseph Chatterton. 

1783. William Mitchell, Joseph Finlay, Jonathan Silsby. 

1784. Jacob Hayward, Moses Lancaster, Jonathan Silsby. 

1785. Jonathan Silsby, Thomas Slader, Amos Ingalls. 

1786. John Duncan, Daniel Grout, Thomas Slader. 

1787. John Duncan, Thomas Slader, Lasell Silsby. 

1788. John Duncan, Lasell Silsby, Moses Lancaster. 

1789. Lasell Silsby, Amos Ingalls, Jonathan Silsby. 

1790. Moses Lancaster, Thomas Slader, Lasell Silsby. 

1791. Thomas Slader, John Duncan, James Campbell. 

1792. Lasell Silsby, Daniel Grout, Thomas Slader. 
1798. Isaac Foster, James Campbell, William Grout. 
1794-6. James Campbell, Isaac Foster, William Grout. 

1797. James Campbell, Thomas Slader, William Grout. 

1798. James Campbell, Thomas Slader, Moses Lancaster. 

1799. James Campbell, Isaac Foster, William Grout. 

1800. James Campbell, Isaac Foster, Edward Slader. 

1801. James Campbell, Moses Lancaster, Edward Slader. 

1802. Levi Hayward, Moses Lancaster, Edward Slader. 

1803. Gawin Gilmore, Moses Lancaster, Edward Slader. 
1804-6. Gawin Gilmore, Amos Keyes, Lemuel Lincoln. 
1807. Lemuel Lincoln, John Grout, Ebenezer Grout. 
1808-9. Lemuel Lincoln, Ebenezer Grout, Samuel Finlay. 

1810. Edward Slader, Samuel Finlay, Ebenezer Grout. 

1811. Edward Slader, Maj. Ebenezer Grout, Elisha Parks. 

1812. Edward Slader, Elisha Parks, Levi Hayward. 

1813. Levi Hayward, Gawin Gilmore, Eliphalet Bailey. 

1814. Levi Hayward, Elisha Parks, Eliphalet Bailey. 

1815. Lemuel Lincoln, James M. Warner, Samuel Slader. 

1816. Lemuel Lincoln, Samuel Finlay, Samuel Slader. 
1817-S. Elisha Parks, Eliphalet Bailey, Ithiel Silsby. 

1819. Eliphalet Bailey, Ithiel Silsby, Jonathan Gove. 

1820. Eliphalet Bailey, Jonathan Gove, David Blanchard. 



SELECTAIEN— EEPRESENTATIVES TO THE LEGISLATURE. 141 

1821-4. Elisha Parks, James M. Warner, David Blanchard. 

1825-6. Ithiel Silsby, Jonathan Gove, Joel Tracy. 

1827-8. Ithiel 8ilsby, Jesse Slader, Daniel Nourse, Jr. 

1829. Ithiel Silsby, Daniel Nourse, Jr., David Montgomery. 

1830. Ithiel Silsby, Eliphalet Bailey, David Blanchard. 

1831. Eliphalet Bailey, David Blanchard, Joel Tracy. 

1832. Eliphalet Bailey, Joel Tracy, John Robb. 

1833. Joel Tracy, Jesse Slader, David Montgomery. 

1834. Joel Tracy, David Montgomery, Ithiel Silsby. 

1835. David Montgomery, Winslow Copeland, Eliphalet Parks. 

1836. Eliphalet Bailey, Joel Tracy, Thomas Ball. 

1837. David Blanchard, Joel Tracy, John Robb. 

1838. David Blanchard, John Robb, Zenas Slader, 

1839. John Robb, Joel Tracy, Edward Woodbury. 

1840. Zenas Slader, Edward Woodbury, Hugh Finlay. 

1841. Edward Woodbury, David Blanchard, David Morrill. 

1842. Joseph Gr. Silsby, Daniel Robioson, Granville Gilmore. 

1844. Joseph G. Silsby, David Buss, Nathaniel Merrill. 

1845. David Bviss, Nathaniel Merrill, J. H. Dickey. 

1846. Joseph G. Silsby, Barnet C. Finlay, Joel Tracy. 

1847. Joel Tracy. Samuel McLure, William Hay ward. 

1848. David Montgomery, Joseph Ball, William Hay ward. 

1849. Jesse Slader, Hugh Finlay, C. K. Brooks. 
1850-1. Joseph G. Silsby, Harvey Howard, Roswell Walker. 
1852. Joseph G. Silsby, Daniel Robinson, C. K. Brooks. 
1853-4. Daniel Robinson, Adna Keyes, Ebenezer Grout. 

1855. Adna Keyes, Harvey Howard, Daniel Gay. 

1856. Daniel Robinson, J. H. Dickey, David Buss. 

1857. J. H. Dickey, William Hay ward, Samuel McKeen, Jr. 

1858. J. H. Dickey, Jehiel Gowing, Rufus Billiard. 

1859. Wm. Hayward, Thomas Slader, 2d, Samuel McKeen, Jr. 

1860. C. K. Brooks, Thomas Slader, 2d, Samuel McKeen, Jr. 

1861. C. K. Brooks, Freeland Hemphill, Theron Duncan. 
1862^-3. J. H. Dickey, John F. Dickey, C. J. Davis. 

1864. Zenas Slader, John F. Dickey, C. J. Davis. 

1865. John F. Dickey, J. H. Dickey, Joab N. Davis. 

1866. Zenas Slader, J. H. Dickey, Joab N. Davis. 

1867. Zenas Slader, Charles B. Cummings, J. F. D. Murdough. 

1868. Zenas Slader, J. F. D. Murdough, James A. Wood. 
1809. Joab N. Davis, Oliver Chapin, Lyman Buswell. 



REPRESENTATIVES TO LEGISLATURE. 



1794-1801. 

1803. 

1804-6. 

1807-8. 

1809. 

1810. 

1811-13. 

1814. 

1815-16. 

1817-20. 



Capt, William Grout. 
Thomas Slader. 
Gawin Gilmore. 
William Grout. 
Thomas Slader. 
Gawin Gilmore. 
Ebenezer Grout. 
William Grout, Esq. 
Edward Slader. 
Ithiel Silsby. 



1821-2. Elisha Parks. 

1823-4. James M. Warner. 

1825-6. David Blanchard. 

1827-8. Daniel Robinson, 

1829-30. Stephen Carleton. 

1831-2. Jonathan Gove. 

1833-4. Eliphalet Bailey, 

1835-6. Joel Tracy. 

1837. David Montgomery. 

1838. Samuel McClure. 



14^ 

\ 
1839. 


THE HISTOEY OF ACWOKTH. 


David Montgomery, 


1854-5. J. H. Dickey. 


1840-1. 


Joseph G. Silsby. 


1856-8. Adua Keyes. 


1842-3. 


Edward Woodbury. 


1859-60. Daniel J. Warner 


1844-5. 


Joel Tracy. 


1861-2. Zenas Slader. 


1846-7. 


William Warner. 


1863. C. M. Woodbury. 


1848-9. 


Granville Gilmore, 


1864-6. Levi Prentiss. 


1850-1. 


James Wallace. 


1867-8. William Hay ward 


1852-3. 


Joseph G. Silsby. 


1869. C. K. Brooks. 



LIST OF THE SONS OF ACWORTH, WHO HAVE BEEN REPRESENT- 
ATIVES OF OTHER TOWNS TO STATE LEGISLATURES. 



Perley Keyes, Watertown, N. Y. ; also 

State Senator. 
Amos Stebbins, State Senator, N. Y. 
Rufus Blanchard, Vershire, Vt. 
Joseph Carleton, Vershire, Vt. 
Koswell Carleton, Whitetield. 
Morris Clark, Whitefield. 
John M. Gove, Whitefield. 
Thomas Montgomery, Whitefield. 
Calvin Clark, Mooretown, Vt. 
Paul Mason, Mooretown, Vt. 
Andrew Mitchell, Lincoln, Vt. 
Horace Duncan, Lyman. 
Alexander H. Gilmore, Fairlee, Vt. 
John B. Mayo, Dover, Me. 
Edward A. Slader, Nashua. 



Charles C. Gove, Nashua. 

Alexander Graham, Claremont. 

Milon C. McClure, Claremont. 

Hiram Blanchard, Bradford. 

William Nourse, Newpoi't. 

Shepherd L. Bowers, Newport. 

Joseph Davis, Hancock. 

Samuel L. Slader, Langdon. 

Joseph Copeland, Unity. 

Ransom Severns, Unity. 

Nedom L. Angler; also State Treas- 
urer, Atlanta, Ga, 

Chapin K. Brooks, Lunenburg, Vt. 

Charles C. Mathewson, Mound Prai- 
rie, 111. 



Thomas Putnam, 
Henry Silsby, 
Mathew Wallace, 
Daniel Grout, 
James Campbell, 
John Duncan, , 
Thomas Slader, 
William Grout, 
Gawin Gilmore, 
Edward Slader, 
Samuel Finlay, 
Elisha Parks, 
Daniel Robinson, 
Jonathan Gove, 
Eliphalet Bailey, 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 

Ithiel Silsby, 
David Blanchard, 
David Montgomery, 
Jesse Slader, 
John Robb, 
Joel Tracy, 
Edward Woodbury, 
Joseph G. Silsby, 
Granville Gilmore, 
Chapin K. Brooks, 
J. Harvey Dickey, 
Erastus Hemphill, 
Nathaniel Merrill, 
Joseph Ball, 



Robert Clark, 
William Warner, 
Zenas Slader, 
A. J. Cummings, 
David Buss, 
Adna Keyes, 
Jacob B. Richardson, 
Daniel Robinson, 2d, 
Hezekiah Copeland, 2d, 
Harvey Howard, 
Daniel J. Warner, 
Joseph S. Bowers, 
James A. Wood, 
N. E. Sargent. 




^^^-^i^-t^^^ 



CHAPTER II. 
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 



SKETCH OP THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

Befoee proceeding to sketch the history of the Congregational 
Church, some account of the buikling of the first meeting-house 
may be proper. At the second town-meeting held three years af- 
ter the first settler built his log cabin, it was voted "that the meet- 
ing-house be set on ten acres of land taken from the adjoining cor- 
ners of lots 10 and 11, ranges 5 and 6, in a square form." But 
the troubles of the Eevolutionary struggle coming on, nothing 
was done until 1779. The size of the house was then determined, 
50 feet by 40. They had the same difiSculty in agreeing upon a 
site that is so often experienced by communities now. Upon appli- 
cation a committee was sent by the Court, which selected substan- 
tially the same site originally agreed upon by the town. So com- 
plicated had meeting-house affairs become, that in 1782 all former 
votes were rescinded, and they started anew. When the materials 
were nearly gathered for raising the frame the difficulty again arose 
of determining the exact site. A committee of citizens of the 
neighboring towns by request fixed the site for the house. Kev. 
Eleazer Beckwith,the Baptist minister in Marlow, was a member 
of this committee. The meeting-house was raised in 1784. In 
1787, while the lumber of the future pews was still flourishing in 
the forest, they were sold at auction. In 1789 the house became 
ready to use, though the pews were not all finished for some time 
after. There are those still living, who remember sitting upon 
benches of the rudest kind in the unfinished meeting-house, during 
Mr. Archibald's ministry. This house was a frame building of 
nearly a square form, and had entrances at the south, east and west 
sides, adorned with porches. The pulpit was at the northern end. 
The pews were about five feet square. There was a row of them 
all around the walls of the house, and an aisle ran around just in- 
side of this row. There was also a middle aisle with two rows of 



144 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

pews on each side. The deacons' seats were benches Immedi- 
ately in front of the body pews. The gallery ran around three 
sides of the house, having as below, a row of pews next to the 
wall, and also a second row on the front end. Space was thus 
left, on the east and west sides, for the singing-seats. The leader 
of the singing, with two assistants, was allowed to sit in the dea- 
cons' seats below, by vote of the town, by which vote also the 
leader was chosen. In calling up the old house in imagination we 
must not forget the sounding-board over the pulpit. 

March 12, 1773, was observed as a day of fasting by Henry 
Silsby, Bethiali Silsby, Thomas Putnam, Eachel Putnam, Samuel 
Silsby, Elizabeth Silsby, Dean Carleton and Anna Cross, and by 
the assistance of Rev. Bulkley Olcott, of Charlestown, and Eev. 
George Wheaton of Claremont, they were organized as a church, 
by subscribing to a covenant. This church, organized by these 
eight persons, has received to its communion 800 members. It 
has thus increased a hundred fold. The four men above named 
were leaders in the town, and thus from the very first religion took 
the prominent position it has always held. Religious services, as 
ministers could be obtained, were held at the house of Henry Silsby. 

August 8, 1774, the town gave Mr. George Gilmore a call to 
become the pastor of this church, after having heard him preach 
for some time, promising him thirty pounds the first year, and 
ao-reeing to add four pounds annually until it should amount to fifty 
pounds a year. Afterwards six pounds more were added to en- 
courage Mr. Gilmore to give his answer in the affirmative. But 
he never was settled as pastor, probably owing to the unsettled 
state of affiiirs in the country at that time. But they were not 
without preaching during the war, as we find that the town pays 
Rev. David Goodale sixteen pounds for preaching during 1778, 
and at the annual town meeting in 1779, they vote to raise one 
hundred and thirty pounds for preaching during the year, and we 
find that Isaiah Kilburn preached in town during that year. In 
1781 a committee of the town was chosen to secure a minister on pro- 
bation, and also a committee to draw up instructions as to the way 
the money voted for preaching should be spent. They reported 
it " to be most agreeable to order and to the Word of God, to ap- 
ply to the Presbytery, or an association of ministers so-called, for 
a candidate, and to admit no person that had not been licensed by 
them, to preach." This action resulted in hiring Mr. Goodale to 
preach on probation, and in November of that year, a call was voted 



SKETCH OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 145 

him, offering him X50 settlement money, and £40 the first 
year, and £5 to be added every year until it amounted to 
X60. This, however, for some reason, did not result in set- 
tling Mr. Goodale. Previous to giving him a call, a more 
definite plan of church government was adopted. The church 
as first formed was purely Congregational in its government, 
but many of the first settlers of the town coming from London- 
derry, N. H., it became necessary to so modify the form of gov- 
ernment that they could conscientiously and heartily unite with 
their brethren in the church. Therefore, Henry Silsby, Samuel 
Slader, Dean Carleton and Daniel Grout, who were Cono-refa- 
tionalists, and Kobert McClure, Joseph Finlay, John Duncan, 
Daniel Mack and Alexander Houston, who had been Presbyte- 
rians, were chosen a committee to revise the plan of government, 
assisted by Eev. Mr. Olcott and Eev. Mr. Goodale. This plan of 
government provided for the election " of a number of the most 
wise, grave and respectable persons under the title and denomina- 
tion of Ruling Elders." These elders were to examine all candi- 
dates for admission to the church, but the candidates could only 
be admitted by vote of the whole church. In cases of discipline, 
the trial was had before the elders, unless the party interested 
should elect to have his case brought before the whole church as- 
sembled. In case of trouble, the party aggrieved might choose 
to make application either to a Presbytery, or to a council of Con- 
gregational Churches. The only change that has been made in 
the plan of government, of any consequence, was made in 1815, 
to prevent the baptism of children under the "half-way covenant," 
as it was termed. 

The title of the church was the ""Reformed Church of Ac- 
worth," a title applicable to any Protestant Church, not Lutheran, 
thus avoiding the decision of the question, to which denomination 
the church belonged. Rev. Tilly Howe preached as a candidate 
in 1787. Rev. Thomas Archibald, of Londonderry, N. H., who 
graduated at Dartmouth College in 1783, was ordained to the 
work of the gospel ministry on the second Tuesday of November, 
1789; thus a minister and a meeting-house were obtained the 
same year. His call was signed by the selectmen for the town. 
The town voted him " X50 settlement money, one-fourth in gold 
or silver, the remainder equal to beef at 20s. per hundred, or wheat 
at 5s. per bushel, or rye at 3s. 6d. per bushel, flax 7d. per pound, 
butter 7d. per pound; the gold and silver to be paid immediately; 
19 



146 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

the remainder in three months." The town also voted him X50 
in merchandize at the same rate, as a salary, and <£5 to be added 
yearly until it should reach £60. 

This ordination was a great event in Acworth. The town chose 
Joseph Finlay, Daniel Grout, James Campbell, Eliphaz Silsby 
and Joseph Chatterton, to attend ujion and provide for the minis- 
ters, and other gentlemen ; and also chose Thomas Slader, John 
Duncan and Amos Ingalls, "to keep order and good regulation" 
during the ordination. 

The minister's salary was raised by a special tax upon the town, 
from which all were exempted who furnished evidence that they 
paid a minister's tax to another society. Several members of the 
Baptist Society in Marlow were so relieved. 

The relation, however, between Mr. Archibald and this church 
continued only till June 14, 1794. Mr. Archibald, at a meeting 
of the elders at his house, February 10, 1794, complained of him- 
self as being guilty of a misdemeanor " in allowing his passion to 
get above his reason, in attempting to strike James Wallace." 
The elders thought "that as the offense had been public, his con- 
fession ought to be made before the church and congregation, but 
to this Mr. Archibald demurred. Thereupon a joint committee of 
the church and town brought charges against him before a mutual 
council. As to the results of the council we only know that it is- 
sued in the dissolution of the pastoral relation. . Mr. Archibald 
confessed the charges brought against him, and was received to 
the fellowship and communion of the church, and was then dis- 
missed to the church in Alstead. The ministry of Mr. Archibald 
was not successful ; only ten united with the church while he was 
here. He is remembered as a man of harsh and irascible temper. 
The son of an eye-witness relates the following incident : " I recol- 
lect to have heard my father say that Mr. Archibald engaged in 
trade with Hugh Henry, furnishing goods, and acting as a silent 
partner. Henry undertook to take advantage of the pastor, 
locked up the store and closed the blinds, and commenced taking 
an account of stock. Learning what was going on, Mr. Archibald 
took an axe, walked deliberately down to the store, smashed the 
door in pieces, rushed in, seized Henry by the throat and choked 
him until he bellowed like a calf and begged for mercy. The 
parson, having got satisfaction, and his temper having cooled off, 
put on his black coat, for he had divested himself of his clerical 
robes, and, as my father who saw the whole affair expressed it, 



SItETCH OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 147 

sneaked away to his home, and never entered the pulpit or 
preached afterwards." Mr. Archibald died in 1812, aged fifty- 
seven years. 

For three years the church was without a settled pastor. But 
on the 14th of June, 1797, Eev. John Kimball of Littleton, Mass., 
was ordained and installed pastor over the church. His call 
promised XlOO settlement money, and X102 salary for five 
years, and then X80 as long as he should remain their pastor. 
Having remained pastor for nearly sixteen years, he was dismissed, 
at his own request, upon the plea of bodily indisposition. He 
returned to his native town, Littleton, Mass., and spent the 
remainder of his days. More than sixty were added to the 
church during his ministry. He was a bachelor, with some 
eccentricities. Tradition says it was sometimes difficult for him 
to keep the run of the days of the week. He appeared at 
the store one Sabbath morning to purchase a darning-needle, and 
when told it was Sunday was very nervous as to his pulpit 
preparations. At another time he was surprised that the district 
school-teacher, who boarded where he did, was not starting to 
school as usual. Upon inquiry, he was amazed to find it was the 
Sabbath. His naturally nervous disposition was greatly disturbed 
by the fatal ravages of the "spotted fever" in the town during 
the last year of his ministry, so that he hardly dared to attend 
funerals, much less visit the sick. Tradition says this neglect of 
duty led to a decrease of salary, which, doubtless, increased the 
" iyidisposition " that led him to ask a dismissal. 

The church, after the dismissal of Mr. Kimball, was in a critical 
position. Mr. Kimball knew nothing experimentally of a change 
of heart, and his predecessor, to say the least, w^as not a spiritually- 
minded man. A lady who came here to reside from a neighboring 
town, remarked afterwards that she could not find a single person 
to sympathize with her in her religious experience. Persons who 
came to Mr. Kimball to know what they should do to be saved, 
were advised to lay aside their fears, and give themselves no 
trouble. All the forms of religion, however, were greatly re- 
spected, and generally observed. This state of things was not 
peculiar to Acworth. ]\Ir. Cooke writes: "From my infimcy to 
manhood, I never heard of a person professing to have met with 
a change of heart, although additions were frequently made to the 
church." 

Mr. Cooke's religious experience was entirely difterent from 



148 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

that of his predecessors. Born in Hadley, Mass., October 9, 1781, 
he felt from infancy the influence of pious parents. By this influ- 
ence, under God, he was shielded from the licentious infidelity of 
the times while in college. He graduated from Williams College 
in 1803, in a class of twenty-eight, with only one professor of 
religion. His parents desired him to enter the ministry; but 
though it was the custom of the times, and even advised by good 
men, he could not think of entering upon that sacred office 
without knowing the power of religion in his own heart. He, 
therefore, entered a law office in Keene in 1804. He was not, 
however, satisfied with the practice of law. After a very marked 
and thorough religious experience, he united with the church in 
Keene in 1811, and soon began to pursue the study of theology 
without a teacher or an adequate library. But his early training 
in the Westminster Catechism and his religious experience assisted 
him greatly. In October, 1812, he was licensed by the Monad- 
nock Association. In July, 1813, he was invited to preach in 
Acworth. His very first sermon discovered a marked peculiarity 
of his — the exact adaptation of his text and discourse to the 
occasion. It also showed great courage on the part of a candi- 
date. The text was Mark x. 21: "One thing thou lackest;" and 
he proceeded to dislodge the prevailing Arminian sentiments from 
the minds of his hearers. Even one of the officers of the church 
shook his head, and remarked, " We never heard such doctrine 
as that before." But the people were in affliction. There was 
hardly a house where there was not one dead. Mr. Cooke 
administered religious consolation, as he went from house to 
house, as only one with a warm heart and deep piety could. 
This turned the hearts of the people toward him, and he soon 
received a call, with but one dissenting vote on the part of the 
church, and thirty-three on the part of the town. Thus the town 
of Acworth probably owes it to that fatal scourge, the " spotted 
fever," that she has had, for nearly half a century, a succession 
of pious men to break the bread of life to her children. The 
opposition to Mr. Cooke was partly on account of a political 
speech which he made while a lawyer in Keene, but mostly 
on account of a growing feeling that it was not right to tax 
the town to support preaching. Mr. Cooke declined the call at 
first — not on account of the opposition in town meeting, but 
because of trouble in the church. One Monday morning he rode 
away from Acworth, as he supposed, not to return, having 



SKETCH OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 149 

preached the Sabbath before from II. Cor. xili. 11: "Finally, 
brethren, farewell." Col. Duncan had spent a sleepless night, 
feeling that he could not have it thus. In the morning he fol- 
lowecf Mr. Cooke, and brought him back. On the next Sabbath, 
his text was Acts x. 29 : " Therefore, came I unto you without 
gainsaying as soon as I was sent for. I ask, therefore, for what 
Tntent yeliave sent for me." Difficulties were adjusted, and Mr. 
Cooke was ordained September 7, 1814. More than 2,500 per- 
sons were present at the ordination services. Dr. Seth Payson of 
Eindge, doubtless referring to the opposition, preached from the 
words. Gal. iv. 16 : " Am I therefore become your enemy, because 
I tell you the truth." Rev. Mr. Lankton of East Alstead made the 
ordaining prayer, of which Mr. Cooke remarked, " If the place 
was not "Shaken on which we stood, / shook." It may be a matter 
of interest to know that upon such occasions, in those days, 
clergymen wore gown and bands. In order to provide Mr. 
Cooke with a gown, the ladies bought nineteen yards of heavy 
black silk, which Miss Sally Nesmith, now Mrs. Wilson, fashioned 
into a clerical gown, and Mr. Cooke was obliged to send for her to 
help him to put it on. 

Mr. Cooke preached the doctrines of grace with the fervor 
of one who had recently experienced them in his own heart, to a 
people who had never heard them from the lips of a pastor before. 
Of the effect produced. Dr. E. S. Wright remarks, " The people 
were at first astonished, then excited, then alarmed, then rebellious, 
then subdued." A revival ensued, which reached its height in 
1817. In the winter of that year, there was a great work of 
grace in the public schools. In the " Finlay district," the 
Tcholars had gathered for a spelling school. As the custom was, 
the exercises w^ere opened by reciting a lesson in Wilbur's Cate- 
chism. While this was progressing, great emotion pervaded the 
assembly, until one of the scholars, overcome by his feelings, broke 
down in his recitation, whereupon a young man who had recently 
experienced religion arose and led in prayer, at the close of which 
the whole school was bathed in tears. Nearly all the older scholars 
were that winter hopefully converted. Similar scenes were 
witnessed in the Lynn and McClure districts. Mr. Cooke, in his 
farewell discourse, says, " The cloud of Divine mercy came over 
us, and rested, not as did the sun in Gibeon and the moon m the 
valley of Ajalon, for a lengthened day, but for three whole years! 
Oh! those years of the right hand of the Most High! My soul 



150 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

hath them still in remembrance." During this time, the church 
increased from seventy members to two hundred and twelve, and 
a large portion of the old members were awakened to a higher life. 

When Mr. Cooke was settled in 1814, the old meeting-house 
was reported as greatly in need of repairs ; but it was impossible 
to get a vote of the town to repair it, except upon condition that 
the other denominations represented by the legal voters should 
have the privilege of using the house a portion of the time, in 
proportion to their number. This the Congregationalists were 
unwilling to agree to, and the house continued to decay, until it 
leaked so badly that it was impossible to hold meetings in rainy 
weather. A terrible thunder shower during. Sabbath service one 
day completely flooded it ; and measures were immediately taken 
to build a new one. The pew-holders relinquished their rights, 
on condition that the materials of the old house should be used in 
constructing a town-house, which was done in 1821, The new 
barn belonging to Capt. Ithiel Silsby was fitted up for holding 
religious services. This barn is now owned by Col. C. K. Brooks, 
and stands a little north of the church on the east side of the road. 

The present church was built in 1821, at a cost of about $6,000. 
At the time of its erection, it was one of the largest and best 
churches in the State outside of the large towns. The frame of the 
pulpit cushion was made by David Montgomery, and was covered 
with rich crimson velvet by Miss Sally Nesmith, and trimmed with 
heavy cord and tassels. Many a person will carry to his dying 
day the impression made upon his youthful mind by the inscription 
over the pulpit, " Holiness becometh thy house forever, O Lord 
of Hosts ! " The interior has been completely remodeled — the 
galleries and the pulpit taken out and ceiling lowered — but the ar- 
chitecture of the outside remains in its original beauty and elabo- 
rate finish, and its graceful steeple will, we hope, be admired by 
generations yet to come. The elevated site of this church and its 
lofty steeple, together with his own stature and prominence in the 
State, gave Mr. Cooke the title of " High Priest of New Hamp- 
shire." At the dedication of the house, Mr. Cooke preached from 
I. Chron. xxix. 1, and the next Sabbath from Ezek. xliii. 12. 

Mr. Cooke was settled by the tOAvn, and until 1820 his salary 
was collected by tax, those being exempted who were regular 
supporters of other religious societies. The law, however, was 
changed in 1819, and it became necessary to vote an appropi'iation 
every year. This occasioned a great deal of excitement and dis- 



SKETCH OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 151 

cusslon. The town was nearly evenly divided on the point. Col. 
Duncan was the leading champion of the " standing order." Upon 
one occasion, as the house was about to be divided upon the ques- 
tion, seeing that his side would be defeated, he obtained the floor, 
and detained the meeting by reading to them the constitution of 
New Hampshire, until other voters arrived, or as some say until 
the lateness of the hour compelled adjournment. Upon another 
occasion when a division was made a satisfactory count could not 
be made and the parties filed out of the house, and arranged them- 
selves in two lines, extending down towards the tavern. While 
they were being counted, one man changed his vote, thus giving 
a majority of one in favor of raising the salary. The man who 
changed his vote, afterwards said he seemed to hear a voice say- 
ino-, " Come ye out from among them and be ye separate." After 
voting for three years to raise the salary, in 1823 it seeming in- 
expedient to attempt to obtain such a vote, the tax was laid by 
a committee of the society, in the same way as before. The 
tax was voluntarily paid, so that practically it made no diflfer- 
ence that the town did not vote the appropriation. A change, 
however, gradually came about, until the tax was laid upon church- 
members only, which practice has continued until this day. After 
all others have had the privilege of subscribing what they feel 
willing to pay, a tax is assessed upon the church-members, which 
has generally been cheerfully paid. 

In the winter of 1826-7 a revival of considerable power was 
again enjoyed. 

Mr. Cooke was dismissed in March, 1829. The cause of his 
asking for a dismissal, was the disturbance created by the temper- 
ance movement. With all their virtues it must be confessed that 
the early inhabitants of* Ac worth were far from being total absti- 
nence men. It seems strange to us that these good men could not 
see the evils of a practice which often brought into disgrace men 
otherwise respectable, but custom blinded their eyes. Mr. Cooke 
himself, like nearly all his brethren in the ministry at that period, 
had been accustomed, at weddings, funerals and other gatherings, 
to take a social glass, but he entered upon the temperance reform 
with his usual earnestness and vehemence. His elders and other 
prominent supporters not being able to change with the same ra- 
pidity became almost unanimously opposed to his measures. Mr. 
Cooke could not brook opposition from those who had always acted 
with him, therefore he asked for a dismission. On the last Sab- 



162 THE HISTORY OF ACWOETH. 

bath he ministered to them his text in the morning was from Acts 
XX. 32 : " And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the 
word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you 
an inheritance amono; them which are sanctified." In the afternoon 
from Luke xvi. 2 : " Give an account of thy stewardship for thou 
mayest be no longer steward." Mr. Cooke removed to Lebanon, 
N. H., where he labored nineteen years. He was dismissed in 
1848, and removed to Amherst, Mass., where he preached almost 
constantly to the surrounding churches, until his death, which oc- 
curred April 28, 1853. The people of Acworth never lost their 
attachment to Mr. Cooke, and he fully reciprocated their affec- 
tion. Pie was accustomed, after he left Acworth, to tell the fol- 
lowing story of 

THE BAG THAT COULD NOT BE RETURNED. 

In the early part of his ministry in one of his pastoral visits, he came to a 
farm-house among the hills, where he was received as New Englanders wel- 
comed their minister in the " olden days." The visit over, the good old 
horse and chaise waiting at the door, the lady of the house gave him a bag 
containing samples of her beef or pork, fowls, butter or cheese, or some arti- 
cles for the comfort of his household. On subsequent visits he sought to re- 
turn the bag, but invariably failed — the bag, somehow, being always found 
well filled in his chaise on his arrival home. 

The warp of this magic bag was spun from — "The laborer is 
worthy of his hire," "Let him that is taught in the word commu- 
nicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." The woof from 
the native generosity of the Scotch-Irish heart. This was not an 
isolated case ; there were many such- hearts in the homes among 
the hills of Acworth. In this respect the children have not for- 
gotten the habits of the fathers. 

On the morning of the installation of his successor, Mr. Cooke 
was seen walkino- in great agitation to and fro near the church. 
On being approached by a friend, he said, " This ought never to 
have been. A little yielding on my part, and a little on theirs, and 
all might have been well." He was buried at his own request 
among the people of his first love, and an appropriate monument 
marks his resting-place, the gift of a loving people. 

Soon after Mr. Cooke left, stoves were for the first time intro- 
duced into the church. " The old meeting-house was especially 
cold in the winter, and those who came from distant parts of the 
town, on the coldest days, sat during the long sermons of Mr. 




'^<2^^»^'^Le^/C^'^ c-c^^'^il/i.^L^^^r^t^^ 



SIvETCH OF TILE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 153 

Kimball almost perishing with the cold, while he preached in 
woolen mittens." The women nearly all carried foot-stoves, and 
multitudes of them were replenished at noon at the house of James 
Wallace. Serious objection was made by many to the introduc- 
tion of stoves. Great fears were entertained of burning down the 
meeting-house. They were, however, introduced, notwithstanding 
the fainting of a few nervous people, and the house has stood to 
the present day unharmed by fire. 

Rev. Moses Grosvenor was settled over this church, October 14, 
1829. He was a sound and earnest preacher, but not being suited 
to the character of the peojjle, his ministry was short. He was 
dismissed, April 25, 1832. His wife taught a school for young 
ladies while here, and it is believed through her efforts every one 
of her pupils not previously converted, was brought to Jesus. 
This revival also included many others, some heads of families. 

Eev. Joseph Merrill was settled, October 16, 1833. He was 
born in 1778, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1806. He 
was settled in Dracut, Mass., where he had a long and useful min- 
istry. During a pastorate in Acworth of nearly five years, " he 
was favored with the confidence and affection of the people." Mr. 
Merrill was erect and dignified in person, genial and affable in his 
manners, and sound and interesting as a preacher. He was blessed 
with an interesting work of grace in this parish. This work be- 
gan with a church visitation, such as has often been made in this 
church. The plan has usually been for the brethren to go two by 
two into every family represented in the church, for the purpose 
of religious conversation. Good results have usually followed. 
At this time also, a four days' meeting was held, at which neigh- 
boring ministers were invited to preach. On the closing day 
of the meeting, forty or fifty persons assembled in the town-house 
at an inquiry meeting. At this time Rev. Mr. Burchard, then 
attracting much attention, was preaching in Springfield, Vt. A 
majority of the church were eager to have him come to Ac- 
worth, while some very substantial members stood aloof. He 
came and the work went on. January 11, 1835, ninety-three 
were received into the church. A mistake was made in receiving 
these into communion, in the midst of the intense excitement, yet 
too much prejudice has existed in reference to those professing con- 
version in connection with Mr. Burchard's labors. Of those who 
had previously been regular attendants upon public w^orship here, 
and those that remained in town long afterwards, few compara- 
20 



154 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

tlvely fell away. Mr. INIerrill was dismissed, July, 1838. He 
died in 18^, aged seventy years. For three years the church 
was without a pastor. Rev. Thomas Edwards was settled in 1841, 
and dismissed in 18^. During his ministry the parsonage was 
built. Eev. R. W. Fuller succeeded Mr. Edwards, and was for 
two years stated supply. 

Rev. Edwin S. Wright, a graduate of Union College, was or- 
dained and installed pastor of the church, January 7, 1846. To 
him the people became warmly attached. He was a good preacher, 
an excellent pastor, and was the instrument of great good in the 
parish. In 1847 a revival was enjoyed, and in 1852-3 the spirit 
of God visited the people with still greater power. He was dis- 
missed in 1856 on account of his wife's health, and was settled over 
the Presbyterian Church in Fredonia, N. Y., where he still labors. 
He has received the degree of D. D. since he left Acworth. 

On the 18th of February, 1857, Rev. Amos Foster was in- 
stalled pastor of the church. He was not a stranger to Acworth. 
The "Ladies Charitable Society" had lent him a helping hand, 
while obtaining his education. He had supplied the pulpit during 
a temporary absence of Mr. Cooke, and the people felt that in 
some sense they had a share in him. It seemed eminently appro- 
priate therefore, that after a ministry of thirty years elsewhere, 
he should return and finish his work here. He was dismissed, 
June 13, 1866, on account of infirm health and advancing years, 
greatly to the regret of all his people, for he was much beloved, 
not only in this, but in the adjoining towns. He retired to a home 
he had provided for himself in Putney, Vt., where he now resides, 
preaching as his health permits. 

The same council that dismissed Mr. Foster installed his suc- 
cessor. Rev. J. L. Merrill, a graduate of Dartmouth College, and 
of Pi'inceton Theological Seminary, and the present pastor of the 
church. 

The whole membership from the beginning has been about 800. 

Present membership, 142, which is about the average proportion 

that the members of the Congregational Church have borne to the 

population of the town since the settlement of Mr. Cooke. For 

many years a large proportion of the young people who have 

united with the church have emio-rated. Takino- at random a sin- 
es jr> 

gle page of the church records, it was found that two-thirds of 
those whose membership had ceased, had been dismissed to other 
churches. On the hills of Acworth, this church has been doing a 




(L, ^, o7x -eyt^^--v^'< f 



SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH. 155 

great missionary work in raising up ministers, ministers' wives, 
officers and lay-members for other churches. Rev. Messrs. Charles 
Boyter, Jonathan Leavitt, D. D., Abner B. Warner, D, S. Brain- 
ard, and others, have been stated supplies in this church. 

SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH.* 

The Baptist Church in Acworth was constituted November 8, ' 
1809, consisting of seventeen members. For some time previous 
to this date, several Baptist families resided in town, who often 
met together for prayer and conference. After the organization 
of the church the members met regularly for religious service, in 
school-houses and private dwellings, and as they were destitute of 
a pastor, Joseph Blanchard was chosen to lead them in spiritual 
things, and a good state of religious feeling was enjoyed. Fre- 
quent conversions occurred, and accessions were made to the church 
from time to time. The services, also, of neighboring pastors 
were frequently obtained, to preach and administer the ordinances; 
and their labors, with the prayers of the fjiithful, were blessed 
in very many instances to the conversion of souls. This state of 
things continued with little variation, until 1818, when the church 
felt their need of a suitable place of worship. Accordingly a neat 
and commodious house of worship was erected on a site about 
one-fourth of a mile east of the center village. 

It was not until November, 1822, that this church secured the 
labors of a regular pastor, the Rev: Theophilus B. Adams, of Wil- 
mot, N. II. We here find a period of thirteen years of destitu- 
tion of ordained ministers, yet from the records it appears that 
they were favored with the labors of two licensed ministers, David 
Cummings and Alfred Abel, who were very successful in winning 
souls to Christ. The church was edified and blessed under their 
ministrations, and in order to have the ordinances maintained and 
administered, these brethren made frequent exchanges with or- 
dained ministers. It was the practice of this church not to forsake 
the assembling of thq;nse]ves together on the Sabbath, even when 
they had no one to break to them the Bread of Life, and these 
seasons of destitution of the preached word by His servants were 
highly interesting and profitable. Much of the interest enjoyed 
by this church, when they had no one to go in and out before 
them, and to preach the gospel, may be attributed to the faithful- 
ness of the devoted brother, Joseph Blanchard, who was elected to 

*Tliis sketch was written by Rev. J. L. Whittemore, and approved by the churcli. 



166 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

the office of deacon. Rev. Mr. Adams continued in the pastorate 
of this church about nine years. He was regarded as an accept- 
able and successful pastor ; a revival was enjoyed under his min- 
istry. In May, 1831, he resigned, and settled with the Baptist 
Church in Unity. 

The church was again supplied by Rev. David Cummings, as 
formerly, until November, 1833, when Rev. Levi Walker assumed 
the pastorate, preaching one-half of the time here, and the other 
half in Unity. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Farrer, who 
supplied this church and the Unity church alternately, as his pre- 
decessor had done. 

Some time in 1838, the church employed Mr. J. R. Greene, of 
Cavendish, Vt., as supply, and in June, 1839, the church voted to 
give him a call, which he accepted, and on the 10th of July follow- 
ing he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, by an eccle- 
siastical council called for that purpose. His term of service with 
this church was short, but it was attended with the Divine blessing, 
and many were gathered into the fold of Christ as the fruit of his 
labors. In the winter or spring of 1840, Mr. Greene resigned, and 
in April the church voted him a letter of recommendation, and dis- 
mission to another field of labor. They then secured the services 
of Rev. Charles Farrer, a former pastor, for some part of the time. 
His labors were discontinued in 1841, and he was succeeded by 
Rev. Charles M. Willard, who remained but a short time. In 
1842, Rev. Leland Huntley supplied the pulpit one-half the time 
for one year ; 1843 appears to have been a year of destitution of 
preaching except as the church could obtain occasional supplies. 

In the spring of 1844, the church obtained the services of Rev. 
Charles R. Nichols for one-half the time. During this year, the 
church desirino; a more eligible and convenient location for their 
house of worship, it was accordingly taken down and moved to 
the center of the town, and rebuilt, remodeled, enlarged and fin- 
ished in a more modern style ; and on the 15th of June it was re- 
dedicated to the worship of God. Soon after the re-opening of 
the house Mr. Nichols closed his labors, and the church was again 
left without a pastor. 

In the autumn of this year, the Lord directed one of his ser- 
vants this way, the Rev. A. H. House, who became pastor of the 
church, and unlike many of his predecessors, gave his entire time 
and energies to the work of the ministry. It does not appear 
from the records that a revival was enjoyed or any accessions 



SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH. 157 

made to the church, yet he was regarded as a good pastor. In 
the year 1846, the church was again without a pastor, but in Oc- 
tober of this year they secured the services of Rev. Lorenzo Tandy, 
a licentiate, who preached one year without any particular change 
in the prospects or condition of the church. 

In November, 1847, Rev. David Wright, residing in Claremont, 
commenced preaching one-half the time for this people, without 
anything of special importance in the church. He was succeeded 
by the Rev. Caleb Brown, September 1, 1849. Mr. Brown's min- 
istry extended from this date until November, 1851, and even af- 
ter this date he is spoken of as supplying, on one or two occasions. 
Though no special revival was enjoyed under his ministry, yet he 
is spoken of as an acceptable preacher. The services of the Rev. 
Amzi Jones were enjoyed by this church a part of the time dur- 
ing th^ years 1853-4. The church was united under his labors, 
and his preaching was acceptable. 

The Rev. David Gage commenced to labor one-half of his time 
as pastor of this church in May, 1855, and continued without in- 
terruption imtil the spring of 1862, preaching alternately to the 
church in Acworth and Marlow. Mr. Gage continued in the pas- 
torate longer than any of his predecessors except Mr. Adams, 
and his ministry was characterized by great harmony and peace 
among the members, and though no general or special revival was 
enjoyed, yet the church was often blessed by heavenly seasons, 
and additions were made to it as the result of his labors. 

In September of 1862, the church was blessed with the preach- 
ing of Mr. W. H. Eaton, a licentiate of the Baptist Church in 
Hopkinton, N. H. After supplying the church for some months 
they voted him a unanimous call, which he accepted, and accord- 
ingly was ordained publicly to the work of the gospel ministry, 
by an ecclesiastical council, June 18, 1863. Nothing of special 
importance occurred until the next year, when the church was 
called to pass through a severe trial in the death of one of her 
most devoted and efficient members, Dea. John Pearson. In this 
brief sketch we cannot say all that might justly be said concern- 
ing this worthy brother, but his sterling worth is still fresh in our 
memory, and it will never be effaced. Suffice it to say that through 
life he maintained an exemplary walk and an increasing attach- 
ment to the church. In the same year, 1864, while the church 
was lamenting the loss of their senior deacon, the pastor offered 
his resignation, thus adding sorrow to sorrow. The records of the 



158 THE HISTORY OF AC WORTH. 

church show the deep regret they felt in parting with one whose 
hibors and preaching had been blessed to the edification of the 
church, and the good of souls. 

The resignation of Mr. P^aton in August, 1864, is followed by 
a long period of destitution of pastoral labor, or the preaching of 
the word, except occasional Sabbath supplies. But in this inter- 
val, which extended from August, 1864, to March, 1867, the mem- 
bers availed themselves of the privileges of the Congregational 
and Methodist Churches, where they were regular attendants upon 
the means of grace. Besides, it was the practice of this church 
to meet statedly for prayer every Sabbath evening, in this time 
of destitution, and those seasons of prayer on "Grout Hill" will 
long be remembered as the place where the Lord has met and 
blessed his people. 

In March, 1867, the Rev. J. L. Whittemore, the present incum- 
bent, visited this church by request of a former pastor, and after 
supplying a few Sabbaths entered upon the duties of the pasto- 
rate at once, by the unanimous vote of the church. Public ser- 
vices were commenced at this time in Union Hall, in the South 
Village of this town, the church feeling themselves better accom- 
modated there than at their church in the center. Many of the 
families connected with the Baptist denomination had moved, or 
had their residences in the river valley of this town, and therefore, 
to have their house of worship more easy of access, an effort was 
made in the autumn of 1867, to take it down and rebuild it at the 
South Village. This effort was crowned with success, so that on 
the 2d of July, 1868, the house of worship was again re-opened 
and re-dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. In connec- 
tion also with the above named services was one of public recog- 
nition of their pastor, which service had been deferred to some 
appropriate place or opportunity. 

" Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." During the fifty-nine 
years of its history, this church has received to its communion 
253 members. Present membership, 67. The following persons 
have been elected to the ofiice of deacon: Joseph Blanchard, Jo- 
seph Chatterton, Dan. Orcutt, John Pearson, Horace Campbell, 
Winslow Allen, Elisha Kempton, George W. Young. 

SKETCH OF TJIE METHODIST CHURCH. 

As was the case in many towns, the Congregational Church had 
a commencement nearly coeval with the charter of the town. 



SKETCH or THE METHODIST CHUECH. 159 

The hardships common to pioneer life, and the trials connected 
with their depressed circumstances were met and endured with 
Christian fortitude, and a high tone of piety, for those days, ex- 
isted throughout the town. The Congregational Church was all 
that was needed, and fully satisfied their desire. After a time, as 
other people settled in town, the Baptist denomination formed an 
organization, and built a house of worship. These two were then 
all that were needed, or could be properly supported. 

In 1833, Mrs. Dorcas Campbell, wife of Isaac Campbell, came 
into town. She was a native of Blairsville, Penn., and inherited 
much of the activity and energy common to the people of that 
State. Before coming to Acworth she lived for a time in New 
York city, and was converted under the preaching of the Rev. 
Cyrus Prindall, and joined the Bedford Street Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, from which she brought a letter, when she came to 
Acworth, but there being no M. E. Church in town she united 
with the Marlow M. E. Church, and with her husband attended 
meeting in that place. In the year 1834, Rev. J. L. Smith 
preached in Marlow and vicinity, and Mrs. Campbell invited him 
to come and preach in Acworth. In compliance with her invita- 
tion, he made a week-day evening appointment, and preached in the 
school-house on " Grout Hill." This is the first sermon that we 
know was preached in Acworth by a Methodist clergyman. There 
was at this time but little interest in Methodism in town, and but 
little was accomplished. The next year Rev. J. L. Smith was ap- 
pointed to another field of labor, and nothing was done for the 
benefit of Methodism here. Isaac Campbell and wife still attended 
meeting in Marlow, but were very desirous that something might 
be done to secure Methodist preaching in their immediate vicinity. 

In 1836, J. L. Smith and N. Ladd were appointed to the Mar- 
low circuit. Early in that year. Rev. J. L. Smith began preach- 
ing in the school-house in the south part of Acworth. During 
this year some interest was awakened, and Lois Brown, daughter 
of Francis Brown, was converted and joined the class in Mailow, 
but as she could not avail herself of the privileges of a church at 
a distance, she for the time united with the Baptist Church, and 
when a Methodist Church was formed she removed her relation to 
that. She afterwards married George Houston, and died in 1844, 
early in life, but rich in faith. During the year 1836, Henry Smith 
invited Rev. N. Ladd to come to his house and preach — the first 
family that opened their doors for Methodist preaching. During 



160 THE HISTORY OF AC WORTH. 

this year some interest was manifested, and a few individuals were 
converted and united with the Marlow church. From this time 
until 1842, there was no Methodist preaching in town. 

In the winter of 1841, Ebenezer Jones and Avife, members of 
the Congregational Church, became interested in Methodism as 
they saw its workings in Marlow, under the pastoral labors of the 
Kevs. H. Nutter and C. H. Eastman, consequently they were in- 
vited to come and hold meetings in the South Acworth school- 
house, which was accordingly complied with. A good degree of 
interest was manifested, which was the commencement of a revi- 
val. These were followed by Sabbath evening appointments, the 
first of which was filled by Eev. H. Nutter, who preached a plain 
and impressive sermon. At the close of the sermon, the following 
hymn was sung by one present : 

" Alas ! and did my, Saviour bleed ! 

And did my Sovereign die ! 
Would he devote that sacred head 

For such a worm as I '? " &c., 

which had its immediate effect upon the congregation. At the 
close of the meeting an appointment was left for Kev. A. Quimby, 
who found the house full to overflowing. The revival interest 
continued to deepen and increase until it was thought advisable to 
establish Methodist preaching, which was done in 1842, by an- 
nexing Acworth to Marlow circuit, and appointing Eevs. H. Nut- 
ter and C. H. Eastman to the pastoral care of the two churches. 
During this year a class was formed by Rev. H. Nutter, consist- 
ing of the following persons, viz. : Ebenezer Jones, leader, Mrs. 
Mary A. Jones, Eleb Hardy, Loren Morse, Luke Nichols, Mrs. 
Mary Moore, Mrs. Dorcas Campbell, John B. Hardy, Mrs. Hep- 
zibah Hardy, Susanna Ware, John Osgood, Mrs. Nancy Mason, 
Mrs. Roxanna Osgood, Miss Lois Brown, Enoch George, Mrs. 
Hannah Ware, Mrs. Sarah George. Of this number ten have 
died, viz. : Mrs. Jones, John B. Hardy, John Osgood, Roxanna 
Osgood, Eleb Hardy, Susanna Ware, Nancy Mason, Lois Brown, 
Dorcas Campbell, and Sarah George. The year commenced with 
favorable indications for establishing a Methodist Church in town, 
and the interest continued through the year, so that at the next 
conference Acworth was made a separate charge, and Rev. H. 
Nutter appointed to the pastoral care of the same. During this 
year, the first Sabbath-school connected with this church was 
formed, and William Hayward was chosen superintendent. 



SIvETCH OF THE METHODIST CHURCH. 161 

In 1843, another class was formed, in the middle of the town 
numbering twenty-four members, and one in the east part, num- 
bering seven. Having no church edifice, meetings were held dur- 
ing the summer in the town-house, and during the winter in 
"Concert Hall." The year's labors, though at times hard, and 
performed under discouraging circumstances, on account of the 
prejudices existing between different denominations at that time, 
were blessed in the conversion of some who connected them- 
selves with the church. The success Avhich crowned the united 
labors of pastor and people, caused them to feel that they needed 
a house of their own, and resolve to build one, which was soon 
commenced under the supervision of William Hayward, Ransom 
Severns and Elijah Cram, building committee. The house was 
completed in 1844, at a cost of $2,500 ; located at the center of 
the town ; material, wood ; size, 40 by 56. It was dedicated in 
October, 1844, by Rev. Elihu Scott, who preached to a large and 
attentive audience. The members of the church at this time num- 
bered about sixty. A small debt still remaijied upon the house, 
but it was soon cancelled, and it was deeded to the trustees of the 
M. E. Church. 

Mr. Nutter closed his labors in connection with this charo-e this 
year, and was followed by Rev. J. Perkins, who preached durino- 
the years 1845-6. He was a faithful laborer in his Master's vine- 
yard, and was much beloved by the people of his charge. In 
1846-7-8 he was one of the council of the Governor of New 
Hampshire. In 1851-2 he was Representative of his district in 
the Congress of the United States. He died in 1854, at his own 
home, in Winchester, aged 61 years, full of faith and hope of 
heaven. Mr. Perkins was followed by Rev. L. Draper, who re- 
mained during the year 1847. By his personal effort the debt of 
the church was paid. In 1848-9, Charles Greenwood was ap- 
pointed to labor one-half the time in this town. In 1850, S. P. 
Heath, a man of earnest piety, labored with and for the people of 
this charge, and was much beloved by them. In 1851, Charles 
H. Chase and George N. Bryant preached alternately at Unity 
and Acworth. Peace and quietude prevailed throughout our 
church. In 1852, Charles H. Chase lived at South Acworth, and 
preached a part of the time at the center, and a part in the school- 
house at South Acworth. Some interest was excited and a few 
were added to the church. 

In 1853, Rev. J. M. Blake preached one-half the time in Gil- 
21 



162 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

sum, and the other half in this town. He was devoted to the 
work, and labored with the energy and zeal of one who feels the 
importance of the trust committed to his care. The members of 
the church were becoming discouraged on account of the distance 
many of them lived from the place of worship. The bad travel- 
ing in winter, and the close proximity to the other churches, ren- 
dered it very hard to sustain meetings. Mr. Blake conceived the 
idea of moving the church edifice to South Acworth, believing 
himself, and seeking to inspire in others the feeling that it would 
be a success, for it seemed reasonable that many who did not at- 
tend meeting might be influenced to do so, and the society could 
be much better accommodated. The necessary plans were made 
for moving it, and Mr. Blake spent much time in making these 
arrangements, and his efforts seemed to meet with Divine approval. 
In 1854, he preached in Gilsum and Alstead, and in 1855 in Cor- 
nish. Here in the midst of labors and usefulness he was pros- 
trated by sickness, from which he never fully recovered, but after 
a time he was able to preach one sermon on the Sabbath, which he 
did for about two years, and performed some manual labor. In 
1857, while visiting friends in Bristol and Hill, he preached twice, 
which effort so overcame him that he became convinced that his 
work was nearly done, and what remaining strength he had must 
be spent in providing a home for his family. Before that work was 
fully accomplished, he was called from labor to reward. In Cor- 
nish, on the 24th of July, 1858, after having returned from busi- 
ness out of town, and having eaten his supper, he was taken sud- 
denly with bleeding at the lungs, and in one-half hour calmly and 
peacefully fell asleep in Jesus, aged 40 years. 

In 1854, being in an unsettled state in regard to moving the 
house, there was no preaching until December, when Rev. David 
Culver was sent by the presiding elder to preach the remainder of 
the year at the school-house at South Acworth, and was returned 
in 1855 to preach another year. During this year, the work of 
finishing the church, which had been moved to South Acworth 
the preceding autumn, was completed, under the superintendence 
of Harvey Howard, Benjamin Nichols, and Isaac Campbell, at a 
cost of $1,800. It was finished on the 9th of July, and reopened 
on the 10th. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. 
Newell Culver, presiding elder of Claremont district, which was 
followed by a ministerial association of the preachers of Clare- 
mont district. 



SKETCH OF THE METHODIST CHURCH. 163 

In 1856, Nelson Green received an appointment to labor in 
Gilsum and Acworth, and we had preaching only one-half the 
time. Nothing of importance occurred, except that in our new- 
location the congregation increased, and the interests of the church 
began to brighten. 

In 1857, Ira Carter lived in Springfield, Vt., and supplied here 
part of the time ; but living at a distance, but little time, except 
the Sabbath, was spent with the people of his charge. This 
seemed to have a deleterious effect upon our interests as a church, 
and it was thought best to secure the services of one who would 
live among us, and unite with us in all our services durins: the 
week as well as on the Sabbath ; and Rev. Artemas C. Field, licen- 
tiate of the Congregational Church, M^as hired to preach, by per- 
mission of the presiding elder, during the years 1858-9, living 
with us. 

In 1860, Rev. A. K. Howard received an appointment to this 
place. During 1860-1-2, he officiated as pastor. 

In 1863, Rev. Chester Dingman was sent- to this charge. He 
labored faithfully for the good of those committed to his care. 
Believers were quickened, and twenty-five persons professed a 
hope in Christ. Of this number, fourteen united with the 
Methodist Church, two with the Baptist, and two with the 
Congreo;ational Church. In 1864, Mr. Dingman was returned, 
and labored to promote the interests of the church during the 
year. 

In 1865-6, Rev. J. H. Hillman, an earnest worker in the cause 
of Christ, ministered to this church in spiritual things. 

In 1867, Mr. J. H. Lord dispensed the words of life from the 
sacred desk. 

In 1868, Rev. H. Dorr was appointed to South Acworth. A 
good degree of interest has been manifested. Ten persons have 
professed a hope in Christ, eight of whom have connected them- 
selves with the church. Our house of worship has been repaired, 
at a cost of $300, and we now have a pleasant and convenient 
home in which to worship the God of our fathers, with none to 
molest or make us afraid. 

We have an interesting Sabbath-school, numbering 132, with 
an average attendance of 75 ; 275 volumes in the library ; M. 
E. Smith, Superintendent, and Frank Howard, Librarian. The 
church membership is 53 in full communion, and 8 probationers. 



CHAPTER III. 
THE MILITARY HISTORY. 



The people of Acworth have been notedYor the unanimity and 
earnestness with which enterprises of a pubHc nature have been 
prosecuted. This trait in their character may be seen in the cor- 
dial support given to the military system of the State. While 
this system required a certain amount of service which by many 
communities was deemed a hardship, the people of Acworth re- 
garded such service as both an honor and a pleasure. Through 
the first half of the century, a military spirit was fostered and en- 
couraged. The war of 1812-15 called many of the young men 
of that period into active service. Capt. James M. Warner and 
Capt. David Blanchard were of this class, and after the close of 
the war it was through the influence of these young oflScers and 
others, that a military spirit was diffused among the people, which 
was felt in every household. About this period, in addition to the 
two militia companies then existing, a light infantry volunteer com- 
pany was organized. Ithiel Silsby w^as its first Captain. It was 
composed of fifty men only, each of whom, according to its rules, 
must be at least five feet ten inches in hight. Beingr well officered 
and tastefully uniformed, it was accounted a fine company. The 
uniform consisted of black coat faced with scarlet trimmino;s, with 
four and a half dozen gilt buttons, and twelve yards gilt cord ; 
black pants, with cord up the seams. The first uniforms were 
made from cloth which Miss Sally Nesmith had manufactured 
from wool taken from a flock of sheep she had purchased from the 
estate of Joshua Lancaster, after his death. Most of these uni- 
forms were made up by her. The following incident is related to 
show the spirit of the company : — Early one morning the chickens 
and children at James Davidson's were awakened by martial music 
and the firing of guns. It was the light infantry, come to escort 
their Captain to the muster ground, which they did in fine style, 
after partaking of a bountiful breakfast. This was a frequent 
practice. It was disbanded in 1827. 



MILITARY HISTORY. 



165 



A company of cavalry, extending through the Sixteenth Regi- 
ment, was organized at an earlier period, and Acworth furnished a 
share of its officers and men. Under ambitious and efficient com- 
manders, a friendly rivalry sprang up, and continued for many 
years between the two old militia companies, each endeavoring to 
excel the other in soldierly qualities and equipments. Each new 
commander strove to improve upon his predecessor, until at length 
every soldier was in complete uniform, arms and equipments in per- 
fect order, and military fines unknown. For several years these com- 
panies numbered about one hundred men each, and each had its own 
pioneer force, its camp equipage, and its train of baggage wagons, — 
each performing its military drill and evolutions with as much preci- 
sion and skill as the best volunteer company. This state of things 
gave to Acworth an enviable military reputation among the surround- 
ing towns. The modification of the militia laws in 1851 put an end 
to all further military display in Acworth. The spirit, however, still 
slumbered in the breast of her sons, to be aroused at their country's 
call in the late rebellion, when many of their number cheerfully left 
home and friends to aid in her defense, and about one-third of whom 
sealed their devotion to their country with their lives. 

A military band of music was organized in 1834, and under the 
skillful leadership of Maj. E. Cummings, soon became popular. It 
was afterwards merged into the South Acworth Cornet Band, and 
now, under the same veteran leader, its efficiency is well known 
and acknowledged. 



LIST OF COMMANDERS OF THE SEVERAL MILITARY COMPANIES. 

CAVALRY. 

Sprague West. | James Wallace, | Daniel McClure. 



Andrew Woodbury, 

Ithiel Silsby, 
Edward Woodbury, 
Stephen Thornton, 



Samuel King, 

LIGHT INFANTRY. 

James Davidson, 
Adam Wallace, 



Samuel McClure, 
Allen Haywood. 



INFANTRY UNDER THE OLD ORGANIZATION. 



William Keyes, 

Daniel Mack, 
James McClure, 



William Orcutt, 
Ebenezer Grout, after- 
wards Colonel, 
Gawin Gilmore, 



Joseph Gregg, 
John Duncan, after- 
wards Colonel, 

SECOND COMPANY. 

Eohert Clark, 
Nathaniel Davidson, 
Jonathan Gove, 
David Blanchard, 



Eusebius Silsby, 
Jonathan Silsby, 
John Rogers. 



Amos Woodbury, 
Martin Mason, 
Abel Bailey, 
Orsou Hemphill, 



166 



THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 



Joel Tracy, 
Amos Clark, 
John S. Symonds, after- 
wards Colonel, 
Ebenezer Grout, Jr., 
Samuel M. Angler, 



\ 



James Dickey, 
Joel Angler, 
James M. Warner, 
Larnard Tliayer, 
Eleb Hardy, 
Daniel Nourse, 
Jesse yiader, afterwards 
Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Thomas Ball, 



Daniel Gay, afterwards 

Major, 
James L. Mitchell, 
Robert Clark, afterwards 

Colonel, 
J. Sumner Gove, 
John M. Barnard, 

SIXTH CCMPANY. 

Alexander Graham, 
Hugh Finlay, 
Nathaniel G. Davis, 
Daniel J. Warner, 
Elisha A. Parks, 
William C. Woodbury, 
Charles M. Woodbury, 
Joseph F. Wallace, after- 
wards Colonel, 



Calvin Wallace, 
James M. Reed, after- 
wards Major, 
Joseph F. Moore, 
Freeman Pearson, 
Thomas B. Bachelor. 



Benjamin S. King, 
Samuel A. King. 
James E. King, after- 
wards Colonel, 
Daniel Nye, 
Shepherd L. Bowers, 
Joseph Ware, 
Orrison J. Williams. 



In 1806, the citizens voted to have a flag. The material was 
procured from Boston, and the ladies of the village met in Samuel 
Slader's Hall, and made a beautiful flag, twenty feet in length. 
The eagle and stars were of white, cut out by David Wilson, and 
sewed on blue ground. The flag was raised on a tall pole on 
muster day near the hall, but a high wind nearly blew it to pieces. 

The "company" and "general muster" days were the great 
holidays of the year. The 4th of July was first celebrated in 1808. 
The tables were set north and south on the common, and they 
were furnished with a substantia] dinner, prepared by Mr. Amos 
Keyes who then kept the tavern. There were also speeches and 
music, and the affair was closed with a ball in the evening, in the 
upper rooms of Keyes' tavern. 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

The settlement was but in its infancy when the War for Inde- 
pendence broke out, but the active part it took in the struggle has 
been shown in the Centennial Address. Cheshire County was espe- 
cially active and forward in the contest, and Acworth was not be- 
hind her sister towns. A single Incident will illustrate the feeling 
of the times : 

By great industry, Christopher Ayres and his mother had built their cabin, 
and harvested their first crop of rye. When an old man, Ayres would tell 
how they threshed the grain out upon the ground, and put it " four bushels 
in a bag," and then sat down and cried for very joy, and his mother fell on 
her knees and thanked God. But the news of the need of men to carry 
on the war with the. mother country reached their cars. Their neighbor, Mr. 



REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 



167 



Houston, had told iLem if the king had his way, a poor man might work all 
day for a "calf's head and pluck," as in the old country Ayrcs felt called 
upon to go and fight for his independence, and communicating his thoughts to 
his mother, she cried, " Go, Cris, and the Lord go with ye, and I will stay 
and mind the cabin." While she was there alone in her cabin, the rye being 
nicely stored in the loft "four bushels in a bag," the cabin took fire, when 
out went the bags of rye as " easily as though they were bags of beach leaves, 
for the old lady was ^powerful woman, weighing more than fifteen stone (two 
hundred and ten pounds), and could put her son aside when he was a man." 

Acworth lay very near the war-path by which the New Hamp- 
shire militia flocked to cut off the advance of Gen Burgoyne's army 
into New York, and her hardy sons, in great numbers, joined the 
eager militia. They were among the so-called "backwoodsmen" 
of New Hampshire who showed at Bennington, Stillwater and 
Saratoga, what so many doubted, that the militia could face the 
British soldiery without the protection of entrenchments. How 
many of the following list were among the number, who, under 
Capt. Bellows, joined the militia at that time, we cannot tell. This 
memorable and decisive campaign, however, was doubtless the occa- 
sion of recording this list of men, who had, up to September, 1777, 
served in the army from nine days to five months. It must be re- 
membered that the quota of Acworth was only five, and that five 
years before she had only twenty-five voters : 



Samuel Harper, 

1 year and 8 months, 
John Wilson, Jr., 
John Duncan, 
John Rogers, 
Peter Ewins, 
F. Willoughby Willard, 
Samuel Smith, 
Henry Silsby, Jr., 
Frederic Keyes, 
Ihomas Nott, 
Lieut. Keyes, 



Samuel Silsby, Jr., 
Alexander Houston, 
Capt. William Keyes, 
Christopher Ayres, 
William Markham, 
John Wilson, 
Jedediah Smith, 
Jonathan Silsby, 
James Wallace, 
David Cross, 
Dean Carleton, 
James Campbell, 



Thomas Putnam, 
Capt. Henry Silsby, 
Eobert McClure, 
W^illiam Rogers, 
William Clark, 
Solon Grout, 
Joseph Chatterton, 
James Rogers, 
Julius Siibby, 
Paris Richardson, 
Daniel Mack, 
James McClure. 



LIST OF REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS WHO HAVE LIVED IN 



Joseph Bhnchard, 
Lasell Silsby, 
Lemuel Blood, 
Supply Reed, 
Jacob Hay ward, 
Samuel Lufkin, 
Amos Ingalls, 
Joseph Markham, 



TOWN. 

John McKeen, 
Robert McClure, 
William Grout, 
Joshua Lancaster, 
Moses Warren, 
Phineas Blood, 
Daniel Campbell, 



Charles Mathewson, 
Samuel Bradford, 
Stephen Thornton, 
Issacher Mayo, 
Joel Turner, 
Aaron Blnnchard, 
Eusebius Silsby. 



168 THE HISTORY OF AC WORTH. 



LIST OF OTHER REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS, 

WHO EITHER DIED OR REMOVED FROM TOWN BEFORE THET BECAME ENTITLED 
TO A TENSION BY LAW. 



James Campbell, 2d, 
Robert McClure, Sr., 
James McClure. 



Josiah Smith, Thomas Slader, 

Timothy Cross, John Eeed was in the 

Joseph Whitney, battle of Bunker Hill, 

Mathew Grier, James Campbell, 1st, 

To this list may be added the name of Thomas Davis, who never would 
take the pension, which he called " the wages of unrighteousneBS." 

WAR OF 181S. 

Several from this town enlisted into the regular army during 
the war of 1812. The greatest excitement, however, was in 1814. 
The people along the New Hampshire coast had lived in continual 
alarm throughout the season, and many troops had been sent to 
Portsmouth for its defense. Finally, on the 7th of September, or- 
ders were issued for detachments from twenty-three regiments of 
militia to march immediately to Portsmouth. So great was the 
enthusiasm that whole companies were eager to go in a mass, and 
a draft had to be made to see who should stay, rather than to see 
who should go. 

Of the Acworth militia, Cyrus Lufkin, James Brown, Thomas Oliver 
and John Smith enlisted, September 21st, for three months, in the first 
regiment of detached militia. On the 25th of September, quite a number 
were drafted into the second regiment of detached militia, viz. : James M. 
Warner, Captain ; David Blanchard, Third Lieutenant ; Benjamin Grout, 
Sergeant ; Thomas Ball, Matthew M. Campbell, Ambrose Alexander, Joseph 
Barney, Calvin Clark, Thomas P. Alexander, David W. Clyde, James Da- 
vidson, privates. The following persons were in Captain Glidden's company : 
Silas Angier, John Smith, Samuel Graves, Rawson Angier. The following 
persons were in other companies of the detached militia : Richard Tinker, 
Asa Whitcomb, David Smith. The following were in the regular army : 
Robert Rogers, John Graves, John Whitney, John McMurphey, Alexander 
McMurphy. 

WAR OF THE REBELLION. 

The " war record " of Acworth in the late rebellion, is one for 
which she has no cause to blush. Her selectmen, in nearly all 
cases, performed the duty of recruiting officers, and the several 
calls of government were promptly met, and her quotas filled. 
Her citizens, very unanimously, were disposed to make the ardu- 
ous and trying duties of a soldier's life more endurable, by grant- 
ing generous bounties, and rendering material aid, if necessary, to 




ir 



.3£i>'<i,.-<-^'f^/'^^^;?^l^Kr^c^<p_ -r^^ 



WAR OF THE REBELLION, 169 

the soldiers' families. Men from all classes of society responded 
to the country's call, ready to face death, if need be, upon the 
battle-field. Parents gave their only sons ; husbands and fathers 
left their wives and little ones and the endearments of home, and 
rushed to the scenes of danger ; while nearly one-third of their 
entire number never again looked upon wife or children, home or 
friends. Their blood mingles with the soil of many a hard-fought 
battle-field, and many of their bodies lie buried where they saw 
the last of earth. May their memories be cherished by every son 
and daughter of Acworth. 

LIST OF SOLDIERS IN THE LATE WAR, 

RESIDENTS OR NATIVES OF THE TOWN. 

Galen Grout, Second New Hampshire Regiment ; wounded. 
John G. Graham, Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment. 
Elisha M. Kempton, Third New Hampshire Regiment ; wounded. 
William P. Scott, Company B. Third New Hampshire Regiment. 
Samuel McDufFee, Company A, Third New Hampshire Regiment. 
Samuel V. McDuffee, Company A, Third New Hampshire Regiment. 
Melville C. Howard, Company A, Third New Hampshire Regiment; died 

of wounds. 
Asa M. Dodge. Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment. 
John S. Osgood, Fourth Vermont Regiment. 
James H. Hull, Company L, New England Cavalry. 
Henry C. Lawton, Company L. New England Cavalry. 
George Warner, Second New York Cavalry. 

Carlos McNab, Vermont Regiment. 

Samuel Bradford, Vermont Regiment ; died. 

Frank Grout, Massachusetts Regiment. 

Joseph Buswell, severely wounded. 
Erskine Dickey. 
Clinton Slader. 

Charles D. Robinson, enlisted from Claremont. 
Damon Bailey. 

Nathaniel G. Brooks, Assistant Surgeon. 
Milton P. Parks. 

Jacob F. Hay ward, Quartermaster Ninety- Eighth New York Regiment. 
Sylvester Campbell, Assistant Surgeon Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 
David E. M. Dodge, Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment; died. 
Milton C. Davis, Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment. 
Salmon T. J. Davis. Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment, 
William F. Whitman, Company A. Third New Hampshire Regiment; killed. 
Porter Monroe, Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment. 
Freeman H, Campbell, Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment; wounded. 
Calvin D. Peck, Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment. 
Theodore F. Finlay, Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment ; died. 
Henry M. Buckminster, Company B, Third New Hampshire Kegimcnt ; died. 
George B. Field, Company A, Third New Hampshire Regiment. 
Theron Duncan, Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment; killed. 
John B, Duncan, Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment ; killed. 
22 



170 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

Edwin A. Howe, Company E, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment ; died. 

Samuel 0. Smith. 

George F. Youngman, Third New Hampshire Regiment, wounded. 

Chester T. Wheeler, Company I, Fourth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Charles W. Wheeler, Company I, Fourth New Hampshire Regiment ; killed. 

Asa E. Howe, Company D, Fourth New Hampshire Regiment ; killed. 

Daniel W. George, Company E, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment ; wounded. 

A. Morrison George, Company E. Fifth New Hampshire Regiment; wounded. 

Joshua Howe, Company E, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Henry T. Buss, Company E, Fifth New Harap^ire Regiment ; wounded. 

Junius Hayward, Company E. Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. 

William Dudley, Company E, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment; died. 

Azal H. Church, Company E, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Benjamin Howe, Company E, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Joseph E. George, Company E, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Henry N. George, Company E, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment ; died. 

Lyman B. Hardy, Company F, Sixth New Hampshire Regiment; wounded. 

James H. Wheeler, Company G, Ninth New Hampshire Regiment. 

William Graves, Company I, Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment; killed. 

George P. Dickey, Fourteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

George M. Goweu, Fourteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Charles R. Gowen, Fourteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Joseph A. Dickey. Fourteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Charles E. Foster, Fourteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Freeman E. Brackett, Fourteenth New Hampshire Regiment. , 

Harlan P. Allen, Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Edwin S. Chatterton, Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment. ; 

Amos Harding, Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment; died. 

Charles H. Cooper, Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Robert T. M. Prentiss, Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Robert D. Gleason, Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Henry D. Putnam, Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment ; died, 

Horace Buswell, Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

Willie Prentiss, Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment ; killed. 

Leonard 0. Bixby, Sixteenth New Hampshire Regiment. 

William H. Severans, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

(Jharles A. Lawton, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

Marden Warner, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

John F. Paige, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

George C. Foster, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

Isaac N. Chapman, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

Henry Hull, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

Amos Bixby, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

Joseph A. Allen, First New Hampshire, Heavy Artillery. 

Henry J. Davis, (non resident,) First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

Francis Brown, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

John Buswell, First New Hampshire Heavy Artillery. 

Sanford H. Bascom, Company E, First U. S. Sharp shooters. 

Charles E. Spencer, Company E, First U. S. Sharp-shooters ; wounded. 

Asa R. Bixby, Company G, Second U. S. Sharp-shooters ; killed. 

Austin Grout, Fourth Vermont Regiment ; killed. 

Harrison Grout, Fourth Vermont Regiment; died. 

Willie W. Davis, Fourth Vermont Regiment. 



SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 171 

Gardiner Buswell. 

Abram Buswell. ia a Massachusetts Regiment. 

Thomas Clark, Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-Seventh Ohio Regiment. 

Freeman H. Campbell, enlisted from Marlow. 

George PI Warner, Captain. 

Emery A. Howard, enlisted from Newbury, Vermont. 

Blartin Woodbury, enlisted from Pittsburg, New Hampshire. 

Albert R. Hull, enlisted from Wilton, New Hampshire. 

Thomas Mc.Millen. 

Hiram 0. Thayer, Eighty-Third New York Regiment. 

LIST OF ENROLLED MEN, RESIDENTS OF ACWORTH, WHO FUR- 
NISHED SUBSTITUTES IN THE LATE WAR. 

Aaron S. Finlay, Alexander G. Graham, | Dean C. George, 

George Bailey, 
George Walker, • 
John F. Dickey, 
George M. Heard, 
James M. Reed, 
Samuel Slader, 
Liberty R. Hardy, 



Galen Allen, 
Joab N. Davis, 
John F. Page, 
James A. Dickey, 
Solon S. King, 
Solon S. Finlay, 
Amos F. Buswell, 



George Smith, 
Hiram N. Hay ward, 
Benjamin L. Eaton, 
Henry F. Burnham, 
James W. Fiske, 
Francis S. Trow. 



SKETCHES OF THE ACWORTH SOLDIERS 

WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE WAR FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE REBELLION. 

DAMON BAILEY. 

Damon Bailey, eldest son of Emlon A. and Polly Bailey, was born in 
Acworth, December 27, 1843. In 1861 he enlisted from Joliet, 111., and 
was assigned to Company F, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry, and was with his 
regiment in its various movements in Missouri and Arkansas, until disabled 
by disease of which he died November 17, 1862. 

SAMUEL BRADFORD. 

Samuel Bradford, son of Augustus and Irene Bradford, enlisted from 
Rutland, Vt., in the Seventh Vermont Regiment; was with his regiment at 
the battle of Baton Rouge, and died of disease at New Orleans, aged about 
40 years. 

ASA R. BIXBY. 

Asa R. Bixby, son of Nathaniel and Sally Bixby, enlisted in Company 
E, Second Regiment U. S. Sharp-shooters, November 26, 1861, for three years. 
He was shot through the head at Fort Schenck, September 22, 1864. His 
age was 24 years. No account of the battles in which he fought has been 
obtained. The verdict of his comrades was that he was a good soldier. 

LEONARD O. BIXBY. 

Leonard 0. Bixby, youngest son of Nathaniel and Sally Bixby, was 
mustered into service, October 23, 1862, in Company I, Sixteenth New 
Hampshire Regiment. Died of disease in the hospital at CarroUton, La., 
January 27, 1863, aged 17 years — without seeing active service. 



172 THE HISTOKY OF ACWORTH. 



HENRY M. BUCKMINSTER. 



Henry M. Buckminster, son of the late John and Marian Buckminster, 
enlisted August 20, 1862, — was in Company B, Third New Hampshire Regi- 
ment. Died of disease in the regimental hospital at Hilton Head, S. C, 
January 24, 1863, aged 16 years. 

HENRY J. DAVIS. 

Henry J. Davis, son of Oliver Davis of Lempster, was a native of and 
enhsted from Acworth, August 6, 1862; was of Company F., Ninth New 
Hampshire Regiment. He participated in the several battles in which his 
regiment was engaged in 1863-4; was taken prisoner at Poplar Grove 
Church, September 30, 1864 ; was a prisoner about five months, and died 
of disease at Annapolis, Md., March 14, 1865, aged 23 years. 

DAVID E. M. DODGE. 

David E. M. Dodge, son of Asa and Susan Dodge, enlisted August 20, 
1862, and immediately was joined to Company B, Third New Hampshire 
Regiment, at Hilton Head, S. C, where he died of disease December 15, 
18G2, aged 23 years. 

WILLIAM F. DUDLEY. 

William F. Dudley, was a native of Goshen, N. H., and was brought up 
by Daniel Peasley in Acworth. He enlisted October 19, 1861, was of Com- 
pany E in the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment. Died of disease January 
15, 1862, aged about 23 years. 

THERON DUNCAN. 

Theron Duncan, youngest son of the late Col. John, and Betsey Duncan, 
at the age of 46 years, enlisted September 19, 1862 ; left his family, consist- 
ing of wife, six children and an aged mother, and with his eldest son joined 
Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment, at Hilton Head, S. C. He 
was in the battle of Pocotaligo, October 22, and Morris Island, July 10, 
1863 ; Fort Wagner, July 10th and 18th ; at the siege of Fort Wagner, and 
in the final assault upon Forts Gregg and Wagner, September 7, 1863. 

As the Acworth soldiers were largely represented in the Third New Hamp- 
shire Regiment, and were present at the fall of Wagner, the following inci- 
dent in its history it is thought will not be out of place here. It is given by 
an army correspondent, and vouched for by the Chaplain of the Regiment. 
On the 6th of September it was determined to try another charge upon Fort 
Wagner, and Gen. Terry selected the Third New Hampshire to lead the 
" forlorn hope." Capt. Randlett was in command of the regiment, and the 
following account of the affair is given by the correspondent referred to : — 
"A New Hampshire regiment had been engaged in several successive bat- 





^-^>^>oy ):2C.Ct^^^^x^ 



SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 173 

tle8 both bloody and desperate, and in each engagement the men had dis- 
tinguished themselves more and more, but their success had been dearly 
bought both in men and officers. Just before 'taps,' word came that the 
fort was to be stormed at day-break the next morning, and they were invited 
to lead the 'forlorn hope.' The Colonel in deep anxiety of mind, consulted 
his faithful Chaplain as to what should be done. He advised him to let the 
men decide for themselves, and at the Colonel's request he stated to the reg- 
iment all the circumstances. Not one in twenty, probably, would be left 
alive after the first charge. Scarcely one of the entire number would escape 
death, except as they were wounded or taken prisoners. No one would be 
compelled to go. If he went it must be with all his heart. ' Think it over, 
men,' said he, ' calmly and deliberately, and at twelve o'clock come back and 
let us know your answer.' True to the appointed time they all returned. 
AlU Yes, all, without' exception, reported ready for the service and the 
sacrifice. 'Now,' said the Chaplain, 'go to your tents, write your letters — 
settle your worldly affairs, and whatever sins you have upon your consciences 
unconfessed and unforgiven, ask God to forgive them. As usual I will go 
with you, and the Lord do with us as seemeth Him good.' The hour came, 
the assault was made ; on these noble spirits rushed. Scarcely an hour be- 
fore the fort had been secretly evacuated by the enemy, and the ' forlorn 
hope ' entered into full possession without the loss of a single man."* 

Mr. Duncan fell in the desperate charge at Drury's Bluff, near Chester 
Station, mortally wounded by a bullet in the head, May 13, 1864. In this 
terrible but successful conflict, '*in the space of twenty minutes more than 
tvtO hundred of New Hampshire's bravest and best, fell dead or wounded." 

JOHN BELL DUNCAN. 

John Bell Duncan, son of Theron and Anna N. Duncan, at the age of 
16 years enlisted as a recruit in Company B, Third New Hampshire Regi- 
ment, September 19, 1862, and soon after joined the regiment at Hilton 
Head, S. C. He participated in the battle of Pocotaligo, October 22. 1862 ; 
Morris Island, July 10, 1863 ; Fort Wagner, July 18th ; and in the final as- 
sault upon Forts Gregg and Wagner, September 7th. He was wounded by 
a bullet through the hip, at the desperate charge at Drury's Bluff, May 13, 
1804; was in the charge at Deep Bottom, August 14th; at Flussell's 
Mills, August 16th; at the siege of Petersburg, in September, 1864; in 
a reconnoissance before Richmond, October 1st; again at New Market road, 
October 7th; in the battle at Darby Town road, October 16th; at Darby 
Town and Charles City road, October 27th ; and at the taking of Fort Fisher, 
January 15, 1865. In this engagement, he was one of four picked men whom 
the commander of the regiment selected to drive the enemy from an annoy- 
ing position, and while thus engaged in nearly a hand to-hand fight, a bullet 

* Report of Adjutant General of New Hampshire Volunteers, p. 491-499'. 



174 THE HISTORY OF ACWORTH. 

struck him in the right breast, passing through the lung and out near the 
back of the shoulder. Unconscious of the wound he continued fighting until 
his comrade seeing the blood issuing from his wounds, hurried him to the 
rear, still he persisted he was but slightly wounded, and was able to go back 
and assist in taking the fort. "Is my arm broken?" he inquired of his 
Lieutenant; "if not, I am going to the front to do my duty." Soon, 
reduced by loss of blood, he was taken to Fortress Monroe, where he died 
of his wounds January 27, 1865. 

He was a model soldier — always at the post of duty, cool and self-possessed 
in action, and brave as the bravest. A comrade, in announcing his death 
to his mother, says : " Never has a death occurred in this regiment which 
has occasioned so much sorrow as the death of your son." The following 
incident is related by his Captain: "At the reconnoissance towards Ilich- 
mond, October 1st, as they were advancing, a murderous fire of shot and 
shell was opened upon the regiment by the enemy, and a shell burst so near 
John as to cover him with mud and dirt. The (Japtain, who was near, saw 
him, cool and undisturbed as if in camp, and asked if he was hurt. Glancing 
at his mud-covered uniform, he laughingly replied, 'No, Captain, not yet.'" 

THEODORK F. FINLAY. 

Theodore F. Finlay, only son of Barnet C. and Emeline Finlay, enlisted 
August 20, 1862, and was of Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment, 
then at Hilton Head, S. C, at which place he died of disease, October 27, 
1862, aged 18 years. 

HENRY N. GEORGE. 

Henry N. George was the son of Enoch and Sarah George, enlisted Au- 
gust 11, 1862; was a recruit in Company E, Fifth New Hampshire Begi- 
ment. He died of disease in camp near Falmouth, Va., November 29, 
1862, aged 17 years, having never been in battle. 

WILLIAM GRAVES. 

William Graves was the son of Daniel and Polly Graves, enlisted into the 
Eleventh New Hampshire Regiment, September 2, 1862, and was of Com- 
pany I. He was connected with the hospital department, and in the first 
battle in which he took an active part he was killed, near Petersburg, Va., 
July 30, 186-4, aged 26 years. 

AUSTIN GROUT. 

Austin Grout, son of John and Hannah Grout, was mustered into Com- 
pany C, in the Sixth Vermont Regiment, October 15, 1861, at the age of 
25 years. He was in his first and last battle at Lee's Mills, near Yorktown, 
Va., April 16, 1862, being shot through the body in that engagement. Af- 
ter being thus wounded, he assisted in removing a comrade who had fallen 



SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 175 

in the battle, and his last act was to reload his "rifle, though obliged to rest 
against a tree while so doing. He fell, exclaiming, "I am killed, go on, 
boys. I have done the best I could." His service, though short, was sufl&- 
cient to prove that he was of the material of which heroes are made. In 
making his grave near Yorktown, relics of a continental soldier were dis- 
entombed, and his dust now mingles with the j^atriots of the Revolution. 

HARRISON E. GROUT. 

Harrison E. Grout was the youngest son of John and Hannah Grout. 
He was a member of Company C, Sixth Vermont Regiment, and was mus- 
tered into service, October 15, 1861. He was in the fierce struggle at Lee's 
Mills, April 16th, near Yorktown, Va., where he narrowly escaped death — 
a soldier on either side being shot down. He was soon after disabled by 
disease, and died in the Patterson Park Hospital, Baltimore, Md., aged 
about 21 years. 

AMOS HARDING. 

Amos Harding, son of the late Amos and Betsey Harding, was mustered 
into service, October 23, 1862, in Company F, Sixteenth New Hampshire 
Regiment, and died of disease in hospital at New Orleans, La., June 21, 
1863, aged 37 years, leaving a wife and two children. 

MELVILLE C. HOWARD. 

Melville C. Howard, son of Rev. Americus K. Howard, enlisted August 
20, 1862, in Company B, Third New Hampshire Regiment. He was in 
the battles of Pocotaligo, S. C, October 22, 1862; and Morris Island, July 
12 and 13, 1H63; in which last engagement he was severely wounded, and 
died in hospital at Folly Island, July 17, 1863. His age was 28 years. 

ASA E. HOWE. 

Asa E. Howe, son of Ephraim and Charlotte Howe, enlisted for three 
years, August 12, 1862, in Company D, Fourth New Hampshire Regiment. 
He participated in the battle of Pocotaligo, S. C, October 22, 1862; in the 
different engagements on Morris Island, and siege of Charleston ; took part 
in the operations which resulted in the reduction of Forts Gregg and Wag- 
ner ; was in the battle of Drury's Bluff, May 13, 1863, and the several en- 
gagements at Bermuda Plundred, Cold Harbor, Deep Bottom, and Chaffin's 
Farm, where he was killed, September 30, 1864, aged 30 years. He left 
a wife and three children. 

EDWIN A. HOWE. 

Edwin A. Howe, youngest son of the late Horace and Judith Howe, was 
born December 28, 1842 ; enlisted into Company E, Fifth New Hampshire 
Regiment, August 28, 1862 ; was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, 



176 THE HISTORY OF AC WORTH. 

Va., December 13, 1862, and died of disease contracted while in the ser- 
vice, March 17, 1803, at his father's house in Acworth. 

ALBERT R. HULL. 

Albert R. Hull, son of Theron and Fanny Hull, enlisted from Wilton, 
N. H., August 12, 1862, in Company D, Fourth New Hampshire Regiment. 
He was in the battle of Pocotaligo, October 22d, Morris Island, and at the 
siege of Charleston. He took part in the siege and final assault on Forts 
Gregg and Wagner; was in the charge at Drury's Bluff, May 13, 1864, 
and in the several skirmishes and battles near Bermuda Hundred, and at 
Cold Harbor and Deep Bottom ; was wounded in the battle of the Mine 
at Petersburg, Va., and was in the final assault on Fort Fisher, January 15, 
1865. He died of disease at Fortress Monroe, March 17, 1865, aged 28. 

MILTON P. PARKS. 

Milton p. Parks, son of Elisha Parks, Esq., and his wife Martha W., en- 
listed from Blue Earth County, Minn., October 3, 1862 ; was Orderly Ser- 
geant in Company B, Minnesota Mounted Rangers, and died of disease at 
St. Peters, December 4, 1862, aged 32 years. 

WILLIAM PRENTISS, JR. 

William Prentiss, Jr., son of the late William and Sarah P. Prentiss, en- 
listed in March, 1864, at the age of 19 years. He was of Company K, 
Fifty-Seventh Massachusetts Regiment ; joined his regiment in the trenches 
in front of Petersburg, Va. He saw his first and last battle in a charge upon 
the enemy's earth- works on the 17th of June, being shot through the abdo- 
men by a rifle ball. He lingered a few hours in great agony, and died re- 
joicing in the hope of a glorious resurrection at the great mustering. 

HENRY D. PUTNAM. 

Henry D. Putnam, son of Oliver Putnam of Charlestown, N. H., was 
mustered into service October, 23, 1862; was of Company F, Sixteenth New 
Hampshire Regiment. Died in hospital at Baton Rouge, June, 1863, aged 
31 years, leaving a wife and two children. 

CHARLES D. ROBINSON. 

Charles D. Robinson, the only son of Daniel D. and Mary G. Rob- 
inson, enlisted from Claremont, N. H , as a recruit, and was mustered into 
Company G, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment, September 18, 1862. He 
was instantly killed in battle at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, aged 
20 years. 

GRANVILLE C. SLADER. 

Granville C. Slader, eldest son of Col. Jesse and Nancy Slader, was mus- 
tered into Company A, Thirty-Fourth Wisconsin Regiment, in November, 



SKETCHES OF THE SOLDIERS. 177 

1862. He died of disease at Fort Halleck, Columbus, Ky., July 7, 18G3, 
having never been in active service. He was 37 years of age, and left a 
wife and three children. 

HIRAM O. THAYER. 

Hiram Orcutt, son of Warren and Paraelia Thayer, was born in Acworth, 
March 19, 1845, and enlisted at Plattsburg, N. Y., July 20, 1863; was as- 
signed to the Eighty-Third New York Regiment, but never joined it. He 
died of typhoid fever, in the U. S. Hospital at Alexandria, Va., August 
24, 1863. 

GEORGE M. WARNER. 

George M., son of Stanford and Maria Warner, enlisted for three months 
in a Vermont regiment, served his time out and re-enlisted in the Harris 
Light Cavalry of New York, which was in Gen. Kilpatrick's corps. He 
was in the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., where his horse was shot from under 
him, and himself taken prisoner, but he was recaptured by our troops. He 
participated in the various raids, skirmishes, and battles under Kilpatrick un- 
til taken prisoner, August 3, 1864, and sent to Libby Prison, where he soon 
after died, aged 20 years. 

CHARLES W. WHEELER. 

Charles W., son of the late Jeremiah and Acsah Wheeler, enlisted Au- 
gust 13, 1862 ; was of Company G, in the Ninth New Hampshire Regiment. 
He was in the battle of Fredericksburg, Ya., December 13, 1862, in which 
engagement he was wounded. He was killed in battle near Petersburg, Va., 
July 30, 1864, aged 22 years. 

WILLIAM F. WHITMAN. 

William F. Whitman was a native of Stoddard, N. H., and son of Abram 
Whitman. He enlisted into Company A, Third New Hampshire Regiment, 
August 20, 1862 ; participated in the battles of Morris Island, July 10, and 
Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863, at which he was killed by a shell. Age 30 
years. He left a wife and one child. 



23 



PART III. 

Genealogy of the Families 

OF AOWOETH.* 



Rev. Alfred Abel rem. from Lempster to Acwortb about 1814, m. 
Juletta Wheelock — ch., I., Mandana, m. Frederic Silsby (see Silsbj family). 
II., Polly, m. Asa Kent of Alstead — oh., 1, Hervey ; 2, Harriet ; 3, Charles ; 

4, Sarah ; 5, Emily. III., Amira, m. Heory Campbell (see Campbell family). 
IV., Fanny, m. Dan Orcutt (see Orcutt family). V., Sally, m. Jonathan 
Gilman of Unity — ch., 1, Alfred A. ; 2, Anson. VI., Charles G., d. young. 
VII., Philinda,.m. Thaddeus Fuller of Goshen — ch., 1, Sylvina; 2, Ossam ; 
3, Lois ; 4, Sarah ; 5, Caroline ; 6. James. VIII., Emily, d. young. IX., Laura 
L., m. Silas Fuller of Goshen — ch., 1, Theron ; 2, Theresa A. ; 3, Hattie. 

Eev. Theophilus B Adams, b. in Beverly, Mass., enlisted in the army 
in 1812, ■was ■wounded so that he received a life pension, was ordained as a 
Baptist minister in Ne^w London, N. H., preached in Wilmot, Acworth and 
Unity, s. in Acworth about 1822, d. 1831, m. Jemima Moulton — ch., 
I., Jeremiah, m. Emily Currier (see Currier family^. II., Louisa, m. Asa 
Sargent (see Sargent family). III., Eebecca D., m. Ephraira Collins — 
ch., seven. IV., Theophilus B., m. Fanny Currier (see Currier family), 
residence Nashua — ch., 1, Ellen ; 2, John ; 3, Theophilus B. ; 4, Emma A. 

5, Georgianna; 6, George F. V., Joseph M., m. Abigail Weed — ch,, seven 
VI., Alpheus. Rev. Mr. Adams m. second Lydia Bagley — ch., VII., Je 
mima, d. unm. VIII., Dorothy, m. Putnam George — ch., two. IX., Bar 
rison H., the first born in Acworth, m. Lydia Osgood, residence Newbury, 
port, Mass. — ch., two. X., Judith, d. unm. XL, Carver P., d. unm 
XII , Louisa, d. unm. XIII. , John B., d. young. 

Nathan Adams s. in Acworth, 1858, m, Minerva N. Newman — ch., 
I., Minerva J. II., Washington I, 

* Directions and Abbreviations. — The first generation, residing in Acworth, 
names in small capitals ; second generation numbered ■with Eoman numerals ; 
third with Arabic numerals ; fourth with Arabic numerals in parenthesis, thus ( — ) ; 
fifth with Arabic numerals in brackets, thus [ — ]. Abbreviations — b., born; m., 
married; unm., unmarried; d., died; ch., children; gen., generation; rem., re- 
moved ; s., settled. * 





<^^^^^^,.t^^^ 



ALEXANDEK. 179 

Jabez Alexander was the youngest son of Thomas Alexander, who was 
killed in the French War; was b. in Marlborough, 1755, rem. to Acworth 
about 1786; was the second settler on Gates Hill; m. Lois Pool — ch., 
I., Benjamin, b. 1778, m. Nancy Mitchell (see Mitchell family) — ch., 1, Phil- 
harma, d. unm. ; 2, John, m. Eliza Carpenter; 3, William H., m. Eliza 
Delano, residence Sharon, Vt. — ch., (1) George, (2) Kmma, (3) Clara, 
(4j Sarepta, (5) John ; 4, Miriam, m. first David A, Hill— ch., (1) Mary F., 
m. Charles E. Bent — ch., [1] Carrie P., [2] George H. ; 4, Miriam, m. second 
Melvin C. Doubleday ; 5, Orson, m. Mary J. Patch, residence Sharon — 
ch., (1) Galena, (2) William, (3) Benjamin, (4) Georgianna H. A. ; 6, Syl- 
vester, m. Ellen S. Dana, residence Sharon — ch., (1) Philharma M., (2) Mar- 
cella M, II., Caleb, b. 1781, m. Dorcas Kenney, s. in Barre, Vt — ch., 
1, Chauncey, m. Mary Averill, s. in Northfield, Vt. ; 2, Austin, m. Susan 
Hurlbert, s. in Northfield ; 3, Ann, m. Rev. J. H. Burnham, s. in North- 
field — ch., (1) Celestia. III., Dorcas, m. Eleazer Beckwith, Jr., (seeBeck- 
with family), residence Belfast, N. Y. — ch., 1, Maria; 2, Ambrose; 3, Lois. 
IV., Daniel, b. 1785, m. Susan Ewens, rem. to Belfast, N. Y. — ch., 1, Wil- 
lard ; 2, Daniel ; 3, Martha Ann ; all b. in Acworth. V., Lucinda, m. 
Francis Brown (see Brown family). VI., Charlotte, m. John Mack, resi- 
dence Ohio — ch., 1, Louisa; 2, John ; and others. VII., Mindwell, m. 
Charles Beckwith (see Beckwith family), residence Fitchburg, Mass. — ch., 
1, Alvah A., m. Lucy Fairbanks — ch., (1) Louisa, (2) Maria K., (3) 
Charles S., (4) Sarah, (5) Frederic; 2, Sarah S., m. Leander Cornell; 3, 
Charles S., m. Jennie Proctor. A'lIL, Ambrose, m. Elizabeth Keyes (see 
Keyes family) — ^^ch., 1, Jabez, m. Sophia Silloway, s. in Berlin, Vt. — ch., 

(1 ) Frank ; 2, Lois S., ra. Seth P. Silloway, s. in Berlin — ch., (I) Angeline, 

(2) Lucia ; 3, Amasa W., m. first Orlana Dutton, s. in Berlin — ch., (1) George 
W. ; m. second Harriet Cady — ch., (2) Minnie A. ; 4, Julia, residence Moore- 
town, Vt. ; 5, Amelia, m. George S Chapman, s. in Mooretown — ch.. (1) Perley 
A. ; 6, Angeline, m. Joseph M. Brown, s. in Mooretown — ch., (1) Charles J. ; 
7, Freeman, m. Rhoda Brown, s. in Mooretown — ch., (1) Fred B., (2) George 
F. ; 8, Caroline, m. Nelson Willey, s. in Mooretown — ch.. (1) Jesse A.. (2) An- 
geline, (3) Fred J. ; 9, Ambrose J , m Almira S. Cady, s. in Berlin — ch., 
(1) Ned Ambrose. IX , S. Parker, m. Betsey White, s. in Ohio — ch., four. 
X., Alvah, m. Phebe Houston (see Houston family), s. in Utah — eh., 1, Samuel, 
m. first Jane M. Houston (see Houston family) ; 2, Louisa ; 3, Maria ; 4, Al- 
vah ; 5, Orpah. XL, J. Lewis, m. Deborah Houston (see Houston family), s. in 
Northfield, Vt. — ch., 1, Nancy, m. Freeman Thrasher; 2, Charles J. ; 3, Lewis 
m. Harriet Emmerson. Jabez Alexander m. second Betsey Marston — ch., 
XII., Elkanah M., m Arvilla M. Booth (see Slader family), residence Lemp- 
ster — ch., 1, George E. ; 2, Eugene A. ; 3, Orra T. ; 4, Ada S. XIII., Jabez 

L., m. first, Sally A. Cram (see Cram family) ; m. second Brown. 

XIV., Chauncey, d. unm. XV., Byron, b. when his father was in his 79th 
year, m. Pamelia Signal — ch., 1, Frank E. ; 2, Hattie. 



180 GENEALOGY. 

Three brothers Albree rem. from Medford, Mass., to Acworth, previous 
to 1773, Samuel, Joseph and John. Betsey, their sister, m. John Brooks, 
brother of Peter C. Brooks. Joseph m. Sukey Dodge (see Dodge family). 

Joseph A. Allan, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, s. in Acworth, 1846, 
m. Mary H. Gates (see Gates family) — eh., I., Joseph A. II., Hannah P. 
III., Walter C. IV., Medora L., d. young. V., Dean L. VI., M. Leo- 
nora. VII., Elroy S. 

Galen Allen, native of South Bridgewater, Mass., b. 1769, s. in Ac- 
worth, 1797. His father was Maj. James Allen; his grandfather, James; 
his great grandfather, Nathaniel ; his ancestor at the fourth remove, Dea. 
Samuel; fifth, Samuel Allen of Braintree, m. 1632. Galen m. Hannah 
Copeland (see Copeland family) — ch., I., Perley, m. Rowena Leonard, resi- 
dence Alstead — ch., 1, Emily H. ; 2, Freeman P.; 3, Lewis L. ; 4, Maria; 
5, James 0. II., Polly C, m. Daniel Graves (see Graves family). III., 
Winslow, m. Nancy Grout — ch., 1, Nancy G. ; 2, George W. ; 3, Ebenezer 
G. ; 4, Galen; 5, Lyman G. ; 6, Mary, d. ; 7, Chauncey L. ; 8, Carlos, 
d. young; 9, Julia A.; 10, Harlan P.; 11, Harriet. IV., Galen, m. La- 
vinia Monroe of Lexington, Mass. — ch., 1, H. Augusta; 2, Annette A.; 3, 
John G. ; 4, Lavinia M. ; 5, Jonas M. V., Hannah, m. John Grout (see 
Grout family). 

James Anderson was one of the first sixteen settlers of Londonderry, 

Samuel Anderson, his grandchild, whose father's name was Robert, s. in 
Acworth, 1793, m. Anna Alexander. 

Samuel Anderson, his nephew and son of David, came to Acworth in 
1795, m. Jane Campbell — ch., I., Anna. II., David C, m. Martha L. 
Brigham (see Brigham family) — ch., 1, Mary E. ; 2, Walter H., d. young; 
3, Emma E. ; 4, George W.; 5, Alice L. III., Horace, m. first, Lucinda 
Blanchard ; m. second, Isa Dora Burnham, residence W^indham — ch., 1, 
Samuel H. IV., Milon, ra. Lucy M. Weston, residence Windham. V., 
Sarah J , m. Charles Abbot, residence Windsor, Vt. — ch., Jennie S. 

Maj. Joel Anqier s. in Acworth previous to 1793 ; he was a prominent 
man in the south part of the town, and often held town offices, as will be seen 
by referring to the list of selectmen, etc. ; a man of strong intellect, he was 
fond of argument, but also of telling a good story ; m. Olive Turner (see 
Turner family) — ch., I., Silas, m. Sarah Holden, residence Vermont — ch. 
1., Sarah; 2, Silas; 3, Newell; 4, John. II., Laura, m. first Sam. Mor 

gan, residence Ohio; m. second Morgan — ch., 1, Angier ; 2, Maria 

3, Samuel B. ; 4, John. III., Rawson, m. Betsey Tinker, residence Cor 
nish — ch., 1, Duren L. ; 2, Mary; 3, Betsey ; 4, Thad ; 5, Roxanna; 6, Cut 

ler ; 7, John. IV., Olive. V., Deborah, b. 1801, m. Eastman, resl 

dence Sutton, Vt.— ch., 1, Stephen , 2, Mary. VL, Polly. VII., Mehitable 

m. White. VIII., Joel, m. Mary E. Polly (see Polly family) — ch. 

1, Oscar F., m. Ellen Campbell ; 2, Mary G., m. Robert Lane. VIIL, Joel 
studied medicine with Dr. Bliss of Alstead, graduated at the medical 



ANGIER. 1°1 



school of Dartmouth College, practiced in Washington, N. H., Bethel, Vt., 
Haverhill and Bath, N. H., and Hazel Green, Wis. IX., Reuben, m. 
Mrs Hannah Paul, residence Newport-ch., 1, Olive E. ; 2, Nedom E. ; 
3 Reuben W X., John. XL, Samuel M., m. Lucena Barnard (see Bar- 
nard family), residence Bath_ch., 1, Adelaide ; 2, Elizabeth A. ; 3, Mary. 
XII Nedom L , b. 1814, m. Elizabeth A. Herring, residence Atlanta, ba.— 
eh., 1,' Alton C.'; 2, Nedom H. ; 3, Edgar A. ; 4, Clarence V. ; 5, Elbe 
B. ': 6, LiUie Ma^ ; 7, Lizzie ; 8, Wilmer. 

Hon. Nedom S. Angier, like most of the natives of Acworth who have 
obtained a professional education, spent much time in teaching. Having 
access to the libraries of his uncle John and his brother Joel, his leisure 
hours were spent in the study of medicine. In 1839 he went to Georgia 
and tauaht school there four years, still pursuing in the meantime his chosen 
study Enjoying the use of the libraries of Drs. Smith and Hunnicutt of 
Cowder County. In 1843 he attended a course of lectures at the Medical 
University of New York. In 1844 he commenced practice at the Court 
House of the Tenth District of Randolph County, Ga. In 1847 he re- 
moved to Atlanta, then a "city in the woods," and opened.a drug store m 
connection with his practice. In 1850, with a party of adventurers, he went 
to California by the overland route. In 1851 he returned to become a suc- 
cessful speculator in real estate, abandoning his profession. From the first, 
he was opposed to the secession movements at the South, and from the break- 
ino- out of the rebellion he studied how to escape from rebeldom. In 18bd 
with great hardship and peril, he passed the lines of both armies by way of 
Memphis. Coming thus from the South, he was naturally watched and sub- 
jected to many inconveniences by the military detectives of the Federal Gov- 
ernment, and he acknowledges especially the kind offices of S L. Bowers of 
Newport, and W. S. Moody, formerly of Unity, in these difficulties. He now 
be.an to search for an opportunity to return South to rescue his family. He 
soon found a "flag of truce" boat carrying only ladies from Annapolis, Md., 
to City Point for exchange, and by it returned to the South On reaching 
home he repaired to Florida under the plea of trading in salt, hoping, on that 
extensive and sparsely settled coast, to find means of reaching Cuba. After 
various adventures, and various expedients devised and attempted at great peril, 
both by himself and wife, they at last found themselves on board the blockade 
runner "Little Leila," on the Suwannee River, through the eff^orts of his 
sagacious and brave wife. Waiting until the " Yankees " retired for a New 
Year's frolic at the "Keys," the vessel successfully run the blockade and 
landed them safely in Havana. His eldest son, a conscript in the rebel army 
about the same time, deserted, and with much sufi-ering and danger, reached 
the Union army nearly exhausted. They finally took up their residence 
near Boston until the close of the war when they returned to Georgia. _ Ap- 
pointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the Third District of Georgia, for 
nine months, he resided at Augusta. He then resigned and returned to At- 



182 GENEALOGY. 

lanta where he was elected delegate to the State Constitutional Convention, 
where he faithfully opposed all those schemes of repudiation which were after- 
wards expunged from the Constitution by Congress. He was elected State 
Treasurer by the first General Assembly under the new Constitution, which 
office he now holds. 

Joseph Atwood was a soldier in the old French War; whether he was 
born in America, or came over with the army from England, is not known. 
He came to Acworth from Haverhill, Mass., in 1788. By his first mar- 
riage — ch., I., Amos, removed to Lempster after living some time in Acworth. 
II., Polly. III., Abigail, m. William Roy. IV., Betsey, d. unm. Joseph 
m. second, Mrs. Hannah (Hadley) Marble — ch., V., Joseph, m. Sibyl Hunt- 
ley — ch,, 1, Rhodia, m. John Ruddock, residence Illinois; 2, Elizabeth, ni. 
Alfred Standish; 3, Amos, d. unm.; 4, Cyrus; 5, Mary, m. Ezekiel 
Thayer (see Thayer family); 6, Lima, m. Cyrus H. Meacham — ch , (1) 
Almeda, (2) Harriet L., m. George Sedgwick, (3) Sarah, (4) Martha, (5) 
Hellen; 7, Harriet N., m. Samuel M. Kidder— ch., (1) Matilda I., m. 
Austin E. Smith— ch., [1] Hattie K., [2] Clarence E., (2) Susan E., (3) 
Carrie M., (4) Hattie L., d. unm. 

John, Thomas and Margaret Archibald of Londonderry s. in Acworth. 
Margaret m. James Wallace (see Wallace family). John s. in Acworth 
probably previous to 1777 — ch. of John and Martha Archibald b. in Ac- 
worth, I., James. II., Ann. IIL, Robert. lY,, Elizabeth. V., Samuel R. 

Rev. Thomas Archibald m. Susannah Whitcher, s. in Acworth, 1789, after- 
ward rem. to Middlebury, Vt. — ch. b. in Acworth, I., Susannah M. II., John. 

Christopher Ayres was one of the earliest settlers in the south part of 
the town. His mother, a native of Ireland, m. and s. in Londonderry, N. H. 
Losing her husband and five children, she came with her only surviving and 
youngest son, Christopher, to Acworth through the pathless woods in 1776. 
They chose a farm on the hill above Alexander Houston, because it was more 
easily cleared and supposed to be more productive than in the river valley. 
Christopher Ayres m. Lois Huntley — ch., I., Lydia, m. James Downing of 
Marlow — ch., 1, Daniel, m., Lucy Upton; 2, James, m. Electa F. Foster — 
ch., (1) Albert S., (2) George E., (3) Herbert J., (4,) Ellen C. ; 3, Betsy, 
m. Daniel P. Newell— ch., (1) George F., (2) Hiram F.,. (3) Harlan, (4) 
Etta A.; 4, Hiram, m. Harriet Wolcott — ch., (1) Minnie A., (2) Alice M; 
5, Franklin, m. Mary L. Ware— ch., (1) Fayette F., (2) Clarence W., (3) 
Mary A., (4) Eugene A., d. young, (5) Arthur A., d young; 6, Lydia C, 
m. Chester Nichols— ch., (1) Charlie A., (2) Dennis F., (3) Freddie D., 
d., (4) Jennie M., (5) Rosie C, (B) Lilly F. ; 7, Allen, d. IL, Jennie, d. 
unm. III., Robert, m. Subrina Miller — ch., 1, Nancy; 2, Roswell A., resi- 
dence Keene. IV., Polly, d. unm. V., Anna, d. unm. VI., Louisa, m. first, 
James Bradbury of HoIIis — ch., 1, Susan A.; m. second, John Gragg, resi- 
dence Quincy, Mass. — ch., 2, William, m. Ellen Kerwin — ch., (1) Nellie 
C, (2) Mabel; 3, Charles A. ; 4, Mary, m. Elisha Hobart — ch., 1, Anna L. 



BAILEY. 183 

John, Amos and Eltphalet Bailey were of the sixth gen. in this country : 
first gen., Richard, who came from Yorkshire, Eng., about 1635, and was 
one of a company to establish the first cloth mill in America in Rowley, 
Mass.; second gen., Joseph, d. 1712; third gen., Richard, m. Joanna Web- 
ster, d. 1748, aged 73; fourth gen., Ebenezer, m. Sarah Palmer, d. 1815; 
fifth gen., Ebenezer, b. 1740, d. 1807, residence Weare, m. Mehitable 
Eaton — ch., Sally; Thomas; Ebenezer; John; Amos; Moses; Jesse; Eliph 
alet ; Lydia; Joseph. John, b. 1769, m. Polly Humphrey (see Hum 
phrey family) — ch., I., Abel, ra. first Sarah Barnard (see Barnard family) 
residence Unity — ch., 1, Mary G., d. young; 2, Belinda, m. Calvin Robin 
sou — ch., (1) Chastina, d. young, (2) Amanda, m. William Mann — ch 
[1] Willie C, the ^rea^^rea^grandchild of Mrs. Polly Barnard ; (3) Charles 
C, (4) Louise B. ; 3, Milon, d. young; 4, Solon, d. young; 5, Roxanna, d. 
young; 6, Emeline G., m. Monroe Judkins — ch., (1) Josephine, (2) Caleb; 
7, Sophia W., d. young. I., Abel, m. second, Mrs. Mary (Campbell) Barney. 
II., Sally, d. young. III., Belinda, d. young. IV., Rial, m. Mary Breed, 
m. second, Ann Hudson, residence Unity — ch., 1, Mariette; 2, Emily N. ; 
3, Thomas F.; 4, Franklin; 5, Clara L.; 6, Silas H.; 7, Milton P. V., 
Eaton, m. Elizabeth Sparling, residence Claremont — ch., 1, Sarah J. ; 2, Sa- 
bra C; 3, John; 4, Frances M. ; 5, Charles E. VL, Theda, m. Walter Breed 
(see Breed family). VII., Sophia, m. Ephraim Cummings (see Cummings 
family). VIII., Lorinda, m. Elias Sparling, residence Unity — ch., 1, Ozro, d. 
young ; 2, Mary L. ; 3, Theda M. ; 4, Sally A. ; 5, Ruth B. ; 6, Louisa L. ; 
7, George H. IX., Mary, m. Aaron W. Sparling (see Sparling family.) 
•Amos, b. 1771, d. 1832, m. Bethiah Silsby (see Silsby family) — ch., I., 
Harley, m, Ruth Cummings (see Cummings family), residence Schroon, 

N. Y. — ch., 1, Alonzo; 2, Carlos; 3, Azuba ; 4, Sultana; 5, . 

Eliphalet, b. 1777, m. Abigail Silsby (see Silsby family) — ch., 1, Sa- 
niantha, d. young. II., Giles, in consequence of ill-health which disabled 
him from farm work, was permitted to attend a "fall school," taught by 
Milton Parker, the first opportunity he enjoyed for gaining an education be- 
yond the advantages ofi'ered by the district school. At the age of seventeen 
he began to teach school, studying as he found opportunity, attending school 
at Chester and Cavendish, Vt., and Hopkinton and Unity, N. H. For some 
of his Latin and Greek he is indebted to Hon. Horace Maynard, who was 
his instructor for a time. His theological studies were pursued with Rev. 
Lemuel Willis of Lerapster. He was licensed to preach by the Massachu- 
setts Universalist Convention in 1839. He was ordained as pastor in Win- 
throp. Me., in 1840; removed to Brunswick in 1842; was appointed iu 
1848 by the Maine Convention of Uuiversalists to visit, counsel and aid des- 
titute societies within its limits ; in 1 849 was settled in Old Town, thence 
removing to Dexter in 1853. In 1857, removed to Claremont, N. H. ; 
1858, received a call from Gardiner, Me., and remained pastor there eight 
years. In the winter of 18G6-7 became for a short time editor of the " Uni- 



184 GENEALOGY. 

versalist," and removed to Belfast in 1867, where he now resides and 
preaches. For many years he has been Secretary of the Maine Universalist 
Conference. He is a regular contributor to the denominational papers in 
Augusta, Me., Boston and New York, and annually compiles the statistics 
of the denomination for the Universalist Register or Almanac. Giles m. first 
Jane M. Damon; m. second Sarah Murphey ; m. third Mercy Bassett — ch., 

1, Giles 0. ; 2, Caroline, d. young; 3, George W. ; 4, Willie L. C. ; 5, Edwin 
C. III., Ithiel L. m, Lucy Patroll, residence Moretown, Vt. — ch., 1, Cep- 
tem, d. young; 2, Willie C ; 3, George ; 4, Emma J., d. young; 5, Ithiel 
L. ; 6, Lucy J. ; 7, Joel ; 8, Abbie ; 9, Frank E. ; 10, Mary. lY., Emlon 
A., m. Polly Addison, residence Missouri — ch., 1, T. Damon ; 2, Ellen L. ; 

3, Emlon; 4, Rose M. V., George, ra. Sarah F. Whittemore. VI., Louisa 
d. young. 

Joseph, Thomas and William Ball were of the fourth generation of the 
family known ; their great-grandfather, Thomas Ball of Massachusetts, was 
killed in the old Indian wars, at Brookfield ; their grandfather, Thomas Ball, was 
a soldier in Fort No. 4, (Charlestown,) and was killed by the Indians ; their fa- 
ther, Samuel, was a three years' soldier and officer in the Revolutionary War ; 
he m. Hannah Rainger — ch., Joseph, Thomas and William. Joseph s. in Ac- 
worth 1825 ; he was a man of much public spirit, to whom the South part 
of the town is much indebted ; he m. Betsey Haywood (see Haywood family) 
— ch , I., Laura H., d. unm. II., Hiram, ra. Lucy Day — ch., 1, Henry ; 

2, Eddie, III., Hannah B,, m. Ebenezer Stevens, residence Bradford — ch., 
1, Charles A.; 2, Eddie; 3, Anna. IV., Freeland ; and by his third 
wife, v., Carlos. Thomas, a soldier in the war of 1812, s. in Acworth 
in 1818, for a time a deacon in the Congregational Church, m. Elizabeth 
Gould — ch., I., Harvey, m. Louisa Wood, residence Walpole — ch., 1, Milon 
W. II., Abigail, m. John Hooper, residence Walpole — ch., 1, Martha E., 
d. linm. ; 2, Estelle M., m. Levi A. Hall — ch., (1) Alfred A.; 3, Warren 
E. ; 4, Ellen F. ; 5, Rufus R. ; 6, Lucy M. III., Caroline, m. John G. 
Blount, residence Nashua — ch., 1, Edward 0. ; 2, Charles P. ; 3, Mary E. ; 

4, Alfred A. IV., Elizabeth, m. Warren J. Cooper, residence Nashua — ch., 
1, Benson P. ; 2, Alice J. V., Thomas C, three yeai-s a soldier in the late 
war, residence Bellows Falls, Vt. , m. Adeline Chase — ch., l,Ida. VI., Lucy, 
m. Rufus L. McClure (see McClure family) ; ra. second Rufus Shepardson, 
residence Claremont. VII., Benjamin G., d. in Boston, Mass., m. Betsy 
Ann Smith — ch., 1, Willis A. VIII., Julia Ann, d. unm. William, m. 
Jane C. Haywood (see Haywood family), s. in Acworth 1854 — ch., I., Pru- 
dence. II., Rebecca B., m. Jonas Green, residence Alstead — ch., 1, Milon 
F. ; 2, Ida J. ; 3, Herbert W. III., Hay wood, killed on the cars, unm. IV., 
Mary E., m. Frederic Watkins, residence Walpole — ch., 1, Belle. 

Moses and Hannah Barnard were descendants of one Isaac Barnard, 
who came to America during the latter part of the seventeenth century, and 
s. in or near Amesbury, Mass. ; his ch. s. around him ; one of them, Tris- 




Mrs. Polly Gove Barnard 



BAKNAKD- BARNEY. 185 



tam, reared a large family of oHldren wbo settled m Wearo about 1790, 
hebneigliborhood is still called " Barnard hill ; " the.r names were Isaac, 
David, Blmand, Jobn, Tristam, Hannah, Mary, and Jerusha. John pur- 
chased a farm in Weare, but d. in Amesbury 1795, before «™™8 >» 
Weare, leaving a widow, whose name was Dorothy Curner. and eigh chil- 
dren, ™.: Jerusha, Poll,, Dorothy, Moses, John, Mmam Ehphale and 
Hannah. HA»«n m. John Gregg (see Gregg famUy) 5 03es, b. 1781, 
m Polly Gove (see Gove family), s. in Acworth 1800 ; m 1802 they s. on 
the farm where they lived together 62 years, and where the widow now re- 
sides aged 88, esteemed by her neighbors and idolized by her child«l,; her 
xesid^nee in town extends through two of the three generations that hyod 
here sinee the settlement; she has hved to see her great great-grandoh.ld, 
Wiffie C. Ma„n_ch., I., Sarah, b. 1802. m. AM Bailey (j« Bade, fam- 
ily) II., Dorothy, b. 1803, m. Sylvanus M,ller-eh., L Hel«n M d. 
unm ■ 2 George S., m. Caroline F. Haskell, d. Boston, 1861-eh., (1) Helen. 
I Do/ofhy m. se^nd Keuben Shepardson 1838-cl.. 1, Emily M., m. Bela 
Grlves of Unity-oh., (1) Stella, (2) Willis W. ; 2, Frances, d- unm., 18G . 
Ill Mary b. 1806, m. H. H. Carey-ch., 1, Lucy Ann, m. J. K. Whee- 
ki of Hymouth. Vt._ch., (1) Luke, (2) Theodore ; 2, Lue.a E., m. 
Wmil J. Hibbs of lowa-oh., (1) Mary G.. (2) Sarah Etta (8) George 
B IV John.b. 1808, d. young. V., Melvina, b. 1811. d. young. 
VI Sou er Page, b. 1813, m. Ann C. HiUiard of Williamsburg. Provmce 
?Ontr-ek. 1. Louise, m. Thomas E. Saunby of New York ct, ; 2, 
t^Tl L John G, Graham (see Graham fan^Iy) ■ 3 Minute A^ 4, 
George H. , 6, Emma L., d. young; 6, Hattte H. ; 7, Sarah C VU., 
P f M 1 1816 d unm. VIH., Lucina, b. 1818, m. SJas M. Angler 
(:eC'e famil ), m. second Joel Gassett (see Gassett family), m. thir 
ScWer° Harrington of Shrewsbury, Mass. IX., John M he only sol- 
d erXm Aoworth in the Mexican war, studied at Norwich Universi y, Vt 
Zlil a volunteer on the staff of Col. Jack Hays, 1st Texas Mounted 
vXlers- present at the storming of Monterey, and siege of Vera Cruz; 
Volunteers, pre „ . n Y. ; m. Eliza J. Gove-ch., 1, Nora 

now praotismg law in KooSester, I'l. i.-, q i, iroo J v„v,ns 

M • 2. Charles 6.; 3, WilUam H. X., George S., b. 1822, d^ young. 
XL, William C, b. 1825, m. Elvira C. Houston-ch., 1, Ida ; 2, Maiy. 
Xn'., infant daughter, d. young. t t ■ TT Tlrfsv ■ III 

Levi B»«ey m. Elizabeth Chase-ch., I., Levi, H., Betsy, 111 , 
PoUy IV.? Thomas; v., Joseph; VI., Harvey. Mr^B-^EV came to 

Acworth after his ehUdren were all of age but one. None remained and 
Acworth a^e^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ two famihes remarka- 

blel « Mrs. Barneys grandmother, on her 100th birthday is 
"at have done a day's work at carding and spinning and ^'^ th eo 
Tiles ; she also at that age made a shirt by torohligbt. Children o I Levi- 
1, Elizabeth C. m. Elisha Farrar °f Concord Mas.,-ch.,(l)Ca,a ■■ 
John W. Elwell-ch., [1] Frederic. [2] Frank ; (2) Levi B., (3) Mary. 



186 GENEALOGY. 

d. young ; 2, Sophia A., d. young ; 3, Clarissa, m. Joel Porter (see Porter 
family) ; 4, Sophia, m. William L. Symonds of Alstead — ch., (1) Clara, (2) 
William L. V., Joseph, m. Mary M. Campbell (see Campbell family) — ch., 
1, Heury, d. young; 2, Frances, m. William McPherson of Manchester — 
ch., (1) William F., (2) Caroline 0., d. young, (3) Fred 0., (4) Menona 
L., (5) Walter, d. young ; 3, Alva W., m. Samantha Way— ch.,(l) Estella 
A., (2) Edwina I., (3) Elmer L., (4) Joseph H., (5) Walter E., (6) Carrie 
M., (7) Charles W., (8) Clarence H., (9) Osmond, (10) Lena S., (11) 
daughter, d. young; 4, Nancy, m. Augustine Pickett — ch., (1) Addie C, 
(2) Dan L., (3) Earnest L., (4) Rose E., (5) Henry J., (6) Charles C, 
(7) Winona, (8) Wallace M., (9) Earl; 5, Mary M. ; 6, Lena. 

RuEL H. Bascom of , 8. in Acworth, m. Eunice S. Kempton 

(see Kempton family) — ch., L, Emma J. ; IL, Ada; IIL, Lewis L. ; IV., 
— ; v., Charles. 

Bezaleel Beckwith, b. 1780 in Alstead, m. Linda Grout (see Grout 
family), s. in Acworth 1803 — ch., I., Nancy G., d. young. IL, Harvey, 
d. young. IIL, Nathaniel G., m. Fannie M. Barker, residence Royalston, 
Mass. — ch., 1, Charles E. ; 2, Minnie. 

Ira Beckwith's mother came from Lyme, Ct., with four sons and one 
daughter. Eleazar, a Baptist minister, preached in Marlow and Unity ; 
Amos, a Baptist minister, s. in Danville, Vt. ; Amon s. in Marlow, and also 
his sister; his son Charles m. Mindwell Alexander (see Alexander family). 
Ira s. in Acworth in 1801. Two sons of Mrs. B., Titus and Trueman, re- 
mained in Connecticut. Ira m. Hannah Wheelock — ^ch., I. , Rebecca, m. Wil- 
liam Humphrey (see Humphrey family). IL, Phylinda, ra. Thomas Townsend, 
rem. to Reading, Vt. — ch., 1, Daniel ; 2, Anne ; 3, Lewis ; 4, Rufus. IIL, 
Betsy, m. Rufus Newell, rem. to Malone, N. Y. — ch., 1, Hiram ; 2, Rebecca; 
3, Lucius; 4, Selim. IV., Jared, ra. Lucy Brigham (see Brigham family), 
rem. to Pana, 111 — ch., l,Wilham; 2, Joel; 3, Silas H., d. unm. ; 4, Milon 
S.; 5, Lydk A., m. Parker Grimes of Springfield, Vt. — ch., (1) Flora, (2) 
Lillie, (3) Allie. V., Polly, d. unm. VL, Anna, m. Samuel Eaton, rem. to 
Sutton, Vt. VII., Daniel. VIII., Stephen, m. Cynthia Osgood — ch., 1, Ira 
A. ; 2, Emeline, m. Moses A. Cragin of Marlow — ch., (1) Lucius M., (2) 
Charlie A., (3) Leslie D., d. young, (4) Freddie H. ; 3, Olive R.; 4, Co- 
lumbia D., m. Harvey W. Weare, rem. to Hancock — ch., (1) Clarence H. , 
(2) Elmer S., (3) Eugene L. ; 5, Diantha C. IX., Eunice, m. John Cross, 
rem. to Essex, N. Y. — ch., three. X., Abigail, m. John Ladd, residence 
Sutton, Vt. — ch., 1, Gustine; 2, Ellen; 3, Ozro; 4, Maria; 5, Oscar. 

Nathaniel Bixby, of Reading, Vt., s. in Acworth in 1833; m. first 
Mary Walker — ch., I., Nathaniel, d. young. II., Charles, d. young. IIL, 
Charles. Nathaniel m. second Sally Bixby — ch., IV,, Ephraim, m. Emily 
A. Smith, residence Marlow. V. Alvira, d. young. VI., Leonard (see 
sketches of soldiers). VII., Asa Reed, (see sketches of soldiers.) VIII., 
l^jdward. IX., Learned, d. young. 



SIGNAL — BLANCHARD. 



187 



Thomas Bignal camo from England during the Revolutionary War, and 
s. in Acworth ; m. Mary Fairfield— ch. , I. , Thouias, d. unm. II. , Betsey, m. 
first Henry Batchelor— ch., 1, Thomas B. (see Batchelor family) ; m. second 
Thomas Cummings. III., Charles, m. first Lucinda Beckwith— ch. , 1, 
Charles H. ; 2, Mary, d. young ; 3, Mary ; 4, Ellen ; 5, Harriet ; m. second 
Mrs. Mary A. (Moore) Mayo (see Moore family)— ch., 6, Mary Ann. IV., 
James M. V., Matilda F. VI., Eleanor, m. Gardiner Smith (see Smith 
family). VII., Joseph P., m. Harriet Beckwith— ch., 1, Thomas W., 
killed in the war; 2, Pamelia ; 3, Lucilva ; 4, Charles. 

Joseph, Aaron, and Lemuel Blanchard, sons of Nathaniel Blanchard 
of Shutes'bury, Mass., a descendant of George Blanchard of Andover, Mass., 
an emigrant from England. Aaron, a soldier for three years in the Revo- 
lutionary army, s. in Acworth and afterwards rem. to Barnard, Vt., m. Olive 
Ashley-ch., L, Lucinda; IL, Warren; III., Calvin; IV., Sally; these 
four were natives of Acworth. V., Nathaniel; VI., Abel ; VIL, Tn-zah ; 
VIII., Cephas. Lemuel was with the njilitia at the burning of New Lon- 
don m. first Phebe Mayo, sister of Issachar Mayo— ch., I., Mu-anda ; II., 
Lemuel- IIL, Phebe ; m. second Mrs. Margaret (Witherspoon) Davidson 
(see Davidson family)-ch., IV., Betsey, m. Phinehas A. Kemp (see Kemp 
family); V., Nathaniel, d. young. Joseph, b. in Shutesbury, 175o, s. in 
Acworth 1790, m. Relief Osgood, daughter of Aaron Osgood, a descendant 
of John Osgood of Andover, Mass. (see Osgood family)— ch., I., Hannah, 
b 1780 m Robert Aldrich, s. in Vershire, d. 1844— ch., 1, Rufus, m. 
Catherine Mabry, residence Thetford, Vt.-ch., (1) Almon m. Hannah 
King (2) Lovinia, m. Wilbur Moore— ch. three, (3) Jane, m. George Row- 
ell_ch [1] Cora, [2] Nellie, (4) Joel, m. Stratton-ch., one, resi- 
dence West Fairlee, Vt., (5) Alfred, (6) Rufus, (7) Catherine, (8) Hannah, 
m Mr. Morse, (9) William; 2, Patience, m. Simeon Rowell, residence Ver- 
shire Vt ; 3, Relief, m. Rensselaer Rowell— ch., (1) George, m. Jane 
Blanchard,' (2) Sarah, m. Chandler Titus— ch., [1] Henry Hazen, (3) Lu- 
rena,m. Joseph Brooks-ch., [1] Rensselaer, [2] Mary, [3] Eliza, (4) 
Amanda m Driggs ; 4, Roswell, residence Corinth, m. first Eliza Ma- 
goon, m.'second Mrs. Stowell-ch., (1) Sarah, m. George A. Church-ch., 
[1] Freeman, [2] Nellie, [3] Cora; 5, Erwin, m. Diana West, residence 
Vershire, Vt.-ch., (1) Lucian, m. Ella Cooley, residence Iowa, (2) Al- 
bert, (3) Eva, (4) Theron ; 6, Robert, residence Strafford, Vt., m. Martha 
Hoyt— ch., (1) George, (2) Frances; 7, David, residence Thetford, Vt., m. 
Miss Rich of Lyme-ch., (1) Warren; 8, Albert, d. ; 9, Ransom, resi- 
dence Thetford, Vt., m. Alma Wilmot-ch., (1) Ella, (2) Willie, (3) Char- 
lie • 10 Hannah, m. first Joshua Pierce of Fairlee, Vt.-ch., (1) Maria, m. 
-1. Gordon, residence Fairlee, (2) Swift, (3) Hannah, (4) Marcia, (5) 

Phebe, (6) Lima, (7) Georgia; m. second Morse. II., Rufus, m. 

Anna Keyes (see Keyes family), d. 1840-ch., 1, Sabrina, m. Horace Car- 
penter, of Vershire, Vt.-ch., (Ij Lorenzo D., m. Miss Magoon, went to 



188 GENEALOGY. 

California, was killed by the falling of a tree — ch., one ; (2) Lura, m. Ste- 
phen Fuller of Vershire — ch., two; (3) Loraine, (4) Luella ; 2, Danforth, 
m. Phila Prescott, residence Vershire — ch., (1) Freeman, m. Charlotte 
Brown, (2) Francis, (3) Frederic, (4) Ethan ; 3, Joseph, m. Susan Guile, 
residence Vershire — ch., (1) Ellen; 4, Rial, m. Dianthe Judd, residence 
Middlesex, Vt. J 5, Keyes, m. Orinda Alexander, rem. to Illinois — ch., five; 
6, Rufus, m. Lucy West, residence Vershire — ch., (1) Emma P., (2) Cora 
A. ; 7, Selimna, m. Hial Colton of Vershire — ch., (1) Arthur H., (2) 
Frank. III., David, b. 1788, m. Betsey Gregg who died February 12, 
1869 (see John Gregg family) — ch., 1, Hiram, b. 1816, residence Bradford, 
N. H., m. Polly E. Gove (see Gove family) — ch., (1) George H. ; 2, Solon, 
m. Sabra Thornton (see Thornton family) — ch., (1) John D., (2) Charles 
E., (3) Harriet M. ; 3, Polly G., m. Joseph P. Cram (see Cram family) ; 
4, Clarissa L., m. Barnet F. Warner (see Warner family) ; 5, John, m. 
Mary A. Warner (see Warner family) ; 6, Harriet N., d. unm. 1848 ; 7, 
Betsey M., d. unm. 1856. IV., Samuel, the first of the family born in Ac- 
worth, d. young. V., Joseph, b. 1793, d. 1869, m. Asenath Mitchell (see 
Mitchell family) residence Chillicothe, 111. — ch., 1, Almond, d. young ; 2, 
Helen, m. Edward Wallace, s. in Racine, Wis. ; 3, Caroline, m. Ralph Gates, 
residence Chicago, 111. ; 4, Sylvester, d. young ; 5, Sarah, d. unm. ; 6, Al- 
mond, m. Rebecca Gleason, residence St. Louis, Mo. ; 7, Sylvester, d. young; 

8, Sylvanus, d. young; 9, , d. young; 10, Volney, d, young; 11, 

Judson, m. Madora Grosh, residence Chicago, 111.; 12, Rollin, residence 
Chicago; 13, Sarah C, m. Joseph Thorp, residence in Oswego. VI., Try- 
phena, m. Oliver Carleton (see Carleton family). VII., Clarissa, m. Joseph 
F. Carleton (see Carleton family). 

Edmund, Phineas, Rachel, and Anna Blood, were of the second gen. in 
America ; rem. from Groton, Mass. Phineas m. Lois Ingalls, niece of Amos 
Ingalls, s. in Acworth 1787 — ch., I., Cynthia; II., Charles; III., Abbie ; 
IV., Nancy. ANNAm. James Campbell (see Campbell family). Rachel m. 
Jonathan Silsby (see Silsby family). Edmund s. in Acworth 1788, m. first 

Catharine , — ch., L, Catherine, m. Amasa Keyes (see Keyes family). 

II., Josiah S., m. Rhoda Currier — ch.,1, Arnold, b. in Acworth 1799, m. Lo- 
vina Newton, residence Whitefield — ch., (1) Orange S. , m. Wealthy M. Harvey 
— ch. two, (2) Lavinia N., m. Horace M. Lindsay — ch. two, (3) Holman D., 
m. Maria M. Phelps — ch. two, (4) Jared P. ; 2, Varnum, b. in Acworth 
1803, residence Whitefield, m. Lydia Kenney — ch., (1). George, m. Rosanna 
Holmes — ch. three ; (2) Hannah, m. Albert Nurse, (3) Caroline, m. Ovid 
Moore — ch. three; 3, Sylvia, b. in Acworth 1805, residence Michigan, m. 
Ebenezer Cudworth — ch., (1) John, (2) Otis, d. in the army, (3) Mary, 
(4) Josephine, (5) Amelia H. ; 4, Laura, b. 1807, residence Montpelier, m. 
Joseph Pearson — ch., (1) Joseph, and one d. young; 5, Leonard, b. 1810, 
residence Whitefield, m. Mary Jessamine — ch., (1) Charles, (2) Louisa, (3) 
Ira; 6, Lial, b. 1812, residence Whitefield, m. Eastman — ch., (1) Jo- 



BLOOD— BOWEES. 



189 



siah S., m. Jennie Russell, (2) Charles C, d. unm., (3) Almira L., m. Pat- 
rick Shallow, (4) Mary Ann ; 7, Rosanna, b. 1815, residence Woodbury, 
Vt., m. Michael Jackson— ch., (1) Theresa, (2) Weston ; 8, Corono, b. in 
Acworth 1818, m. Samuel Jackson— ch., (1) Ann, m. Henry Dodge; 9, 
Mindwell, residence Lancaster, m. Joseph Colby— ch., (I) Albert, (2) 
Frank, (3) Cyrus, (4) Lucinda, (5) Emily, (6) Laura. A. ; 10, Royal, 
residence Lunenburg, m. Lucy A. Heath— ch., (1) Hazen, (2) Clement, 
(3) Florence, (4) Helen, (5) Burton E., (6) Isabell, (7) Ervin. III., 
Anna, m. Abner Currier of Unity— ch., 1, Lurena, m. Joseph Way of Lemp. 
eter— ch., (1) George W., (2) Mary A.; 2, Relief, d. unm.; 3, Sabra, d. 
unm. ; 4 Lewman, d. unm. ; 5, Orphah, m. Lewis Neal of Claremont— ch., 
(1) Ransom M., m. Julia R. Bailey, d. in war, (2) Laura L., d. unm. ; 6, 
Nathan B., m. Louisa Janes-ch., (1) Sarah A., (2) George W., (3) John 
S., (4) Abbie K, (5) Ahiiira J., (6) Nathan J., (7) Hattie, (8) Flora T., 
(9) Charles P. ; 7, Lorinda, m. Ransom Severns (see Severns family) ; 
8, Ursula A., m. David Metcalf of East Boston— ch., (1) Frank ; 9, Pascal 
W , d. unm. ; 10, Louisa I., m. Samuel L. Pike of Newport, who d. in war 
— ch., (1) Charles C, (2) Ellen. IV., Simon, rem. to Thomastown, Me. 
v., Samuel, m. Emily Monroe, residence Stoddard— ch., 1, Mary ; 2, Lucy ; 
3, Lomelia ;' 4, Nathan M. ; 5, Benjamin F. ; 6, Edmund; 7, Mary L.; 8, 
Samuel. VI., Edmond, m. Lois Woodbury (see Woodbury family), rem. 
to Ashtabula, Ohio. VII., Nathan, m. Sally Woodbury, (see Woodbury 
family), rem. to Ashtabula County, Ohio. VIH., Rachel, m. Dan Foster, 
residence Lempster. 

Lemuel Blood of Pepperell Mass., five years a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War, and in many hard fought battles, s. in Acworth 1812, m. Lucy 
Hale of Dunstable, Mass.— ch., L, Lucy, m. Mark Peasley of Goshen— ch., 

1 Daniel m. Betsey Jeffis of Stoddard, residence Acworth, a few years ; 2, 
Reuben; '3, William; 4, Noah; 5, Lucy; 6, Aaron; 7, Almon ; 8, Maria. 
n Sally m. Guernsey of Dummerston, Vt.— ch., 1, Joseph H. G. VV. ; 

2 Sally. ' in., Lemuel, d. young. IV., Amy, m. Guernsey of Dum- 

merston-ch., 1, Hannah; 2, David;- 3, Joseph; 4, Jerusha. V., Polly, 
m Isaac W. Whitney (see Whitney family). VI., Freeman, m. Sophrona 
Howe of Alstead-ch., 1, Samuel. VIL, Sewell, rem. to New York. VIII., 
Faxon, m. Alzina Black, s. in Tecumseh, Mich. IX., Esther, m. Benjamin 
WUliams (see Williams family). X., Elijah, rem. to Bradford, Vt., m. 
Louisa Heath-ch., 1, David; 2, Sarah. XL, Jonas H., m. Hopewell 
Thayer (see Philo Thayer family), rem. to Langdon, N. H., and was kiUed 
in the raising of the Congregational meeting-house in that place, in 1841— 
ch., l,Lovell; 2, Althea; 3, Lafayette; 4, Eliza; 5, Martha; 6, Milton. 
XIL, Pliilinda, m. Leonard Whitney (see Whitney family). XIIL, Lemuel, 
m. Betsey Brooks of Alstead. XIV., Noah, d. young. ^ 

James Bowers, a native of Hancock, was of the fourth generation in this 
country; grandfather, Jerathmeel Bowers of Leominster, Mass.; father, 



190 GENEALOGY. 

John Bowers of Hancock. James Bowers m. Nancy Symonds of Hancock, 
1816, s. in Acworth 1821, d. November, 1858 — eh., L, Nancy Symonds, 
m. Jacob Proctor of Lunenburg, Mass. — cli., 1, James Edmund; 2 Anna 
E. II., Pamelia. III., Maria, m. John Merrill of Boston — ch., 1, Helen 
M. IV., Lucinda, m. Henry J. Oliver of Boston. V., James L., d. unm., 
•1849. VI., Joseph Symonds, m. Mary L. Mitchell (see Mitchell family) 
— ch., 1, Flora E. ; 2, Charles D.; 3, Elbron I. VII., Luke Shepherd, 
m. Thankful M. Newell, studied law with Asa Fowler of Concord ; practices 
in Newport; register of probate for Sullivan County since 1861. VIII., 
Elizabeth Hannah, d. young. IX., Mary Elizabeth, m. James A. Wood 
(see Wood family). X., Sarah Jane. -' j' ; •, -■ / .(^ 

Jason H. Boynton, son of Francis of Maine, s. in Acworth in 1846, m. first 
Emily L. Houston (see Houston family) — ch., I., Emily Z., m. Luther F. 
Marks, residence Gilsum; m. second Hannah W. Campbell — ch., II., Adel- 
bert J., d. unm. IIL, Ira H. IV., Avaline J. V. , Nelson A. VI., Frank L. 

Freeman C. Brackett of Marlow, s. in Acworth in 1865, m. Sarah M. 
A. Duncan, who d. in 1868 (see Duncan family) — ch., I., Annie L. 

JosEPU Brackett, a native of Peterborough, s. in Acworth 1860, m. Lu- 
cretia L. Hunt — ch., I., Charles A. ; II., Laura L. 

Capt. Samuel Bradford served through the whole Eevolutionary War, 
s. in Acworth in 1805, m. Elizabeth Herrick, d. aged 80 — ch., three, Mrs. 
Judge Cummings of Batavia, N. Y., Mrs. Samuel Jones of Boston, and Au- 
gustus ; Augustus m. Irene Davidson (see Davidson family) — ch., 1, John 
D., m. Eachel I. Dyke (see Symonds family), residence Madison, Wis. — 
ch., (1) Eleanora A., m. W. Pollard— ch., [1] Flora A. ; (2) Harriet E. ; 
(3) Oscar M., killed at the battle of Gettysburg; (4) Rouzillyan K. J., 
wounded at Gettysburg, and d. 1863 ; (5) Clarissa A., (6) Sylvo Don F., 
(7) Benjamin F., (8) George W., d., (9) Carrie I., (10) Charlie D.; 2, 
Fannie C, m. Samuel Veasey of Claremont ; 3, Ira, d. ; 4, Mary W., m. 
Ezekiel Woodward ; 5, Samuel D., d. in the army ; 6, Orin ; 7, Hosea J., 
m. Marion C. Dyer; 8, Granville, m. Mary Berry — ch., two; 9, Oliver; 
10, Martha J., m. Edward Graves of Charlestown ; 11, Harriet E., d. ; 12, 
Charles A., m. Delia Ward of Chicago. 

Alba M. Bragg, son of Roswell and Rachel Bragg, was born in Bran- 
don, Vt. ; came from Alstead to Acworth in 1866, m. Susan D. Allen of 
Surrey— ch., L, Susan D. ; II., Daniel A. ; IIL, Mary J. ; IV., Emily M. ; 
v., Marshall F. ; VI., Alma E. ; VII., Nellie E. 

GiLMAN Breed came from Lempster to Acworth in 1853, m. Abigail 
Webster — ch^, I., Charles W. ; II., Nellie; IIL, George N. 

Walter Breed, of Unity, m. first Theda Bailey (see Bailey family) — 
ch., I., Mary J. ; II., Philinda A. ; m. second Mahala J. Putney, d. 1857. 
His widow rem. to Acworth in 18G3 — ch. IIL, George H. ; IV., Charles 
W., m. Maria Green— ch., 1, Rodney F. V., Elijah R. H. ; VL, Maria H.; 
VII., S. Annette ; VIII., Leonard E. 



BrxIGHAM— BEOOKS. 191 

John Brigiiam was of the fifth gen. in America ; fourth gen., Stephen ; 
third gen., Jedediah ; second gen., Samuel; first gen., Thomas, who em- 
barked at London for New England in 1635, supposed to be of gentle blood. 
There is a parish called Brigham (Bridge house) fi-om the number of bridges 
in it, in the north of England, where the family originated. John^u. Lydia 
Howe of Princeton (relative of the Acworth Howes), s. in Acworth in 1805 
— ch,, I., Joel, d. young, H., Eufus, b. 1791 d. 1867, m. Elizabeth Dun- 
can (see Duncan family) — ch,, 1, Harvey, m. Mary L. Ulwich, residence 
Pana, 111. ; 2, Elizabeth A., ni. Daniel Ryder (see Eyder family) ; 3, Ma- 
rinda, d. young ; 4, Martha L., m. David Anderson (see Anderson family). 
III., John, m. Mrs. Eunice H. Clark, residence Worcester, Vt. — ch., 1, 

Lydia, m. Iddo — ch., (1) Eunice, (2) Mary; 2, Susan; 3, George 

W. ; 4, Silas H. ; 5, Marshall. IV., Lucy, m. Jared Beckwith (see Beck- 
with family). V., Polly, m. Samuel McKean (see McKean family). VI., 
Matilda, m. Martin Mason (see Mason family). VII., Silas, m. Sarah 
Manchester, residence Rhode Island — ch., 1, Sarah E. ; 2, Charles W. ; 3, 
Beniah W. ; 4, Henry W. R. VIIL, Lydia, m. Henry McClure (see Mc- 
Clure family). IX., Betsey, m. Almon Wetherbee — ch., 1, Mary M. ; 2, 
Angeline ; 3, Lydia M. Joun Brigham, nephew of John Brigham above 
mentioned, m. Mary M. Moore (see Moore family), s. in Acworth, and rem. 
to Keesville, N. Y. — ch., I., William M., residence Milwaukee, Wis. — ch., 
I., Charles R. II., Mary G., d. young. III., Mary C, m. Isaac G. Good- 
rich, residence Illinois. IV., Lucy E., d. 1849. V., Martha A., m. Wil- 
liam Hazelton — ch,, 1, William B. ; 2, Frances S. VI., Justinian H. 
VII., Sarah E., m. Ezekiel Cutter, Esq., residence Iowa — ch., 1, John F. ; 
2, Mary B, VIIL, Martha M. 

Dr. Lyman Brooks, a native of Alstead, m. Mary G. Graham, came to 
Acworth in 1826, (see notice of him in Mr. Breed's response) — ch., I., 
William Erskine. II., Mary G., m. Isaac Woodbury (see Woodbury family). 
III., Lyman J., graduated at the law school in Albany, commenced practice 
in Claremont in company with Ira Colby, Jr. ; is now Clerk of the Court of 
Sullivan County. IV., George B., graduated at Dartmouth College, 1860 ; 
taught the Institute at Northfield, Vt., until March, 1861 ; Superintendent 
of Public Schools, Gloucester, Mass., until July, 1862 ; in the same position 
at Beloit, Wis., two years ; read law with Lester & Pond, Saratoga Springs, 
attending in the meantime the law school at Albany, N. Y. ; now practising 
law at East Saginaw, Mich. ; m. Abbie D. Mansfield. V., Josephine L., m. 
A. S. Findley (see Findley family). VL, N. Grout, read medicine with his 
father ; studied at Dartmouth Medical College ; graduated at Albany Medical 
College in 1861 ; appointed Surgeon in the Sixteenth Regiment of Vermont 
Volunteers ; after the discharge of the regiment appointed Assistant Sur- 
geon in the U. S. General Hospital at Brattleboro, Vt. ; is now practising 
medicine in Acworth. VIT., Ellen, d. young. A''III., elolin G., d. young. 
IX., Rollo II., d. young. 



192 GENEALOGY. 

Chapin K. Brooks, brother of Dr. Brooks, s. in Acworth 1844, m. first 
Pamelia Graliam (see Graham family) — eh., I., Sarah Ann, m. Hiram Hay- 
wood (see Haywood family). 11., Jane, m. Freeman Haywood (see Hay- 
wood family). III., William. IV., John G. V., Henry A. Mr. Brooks 
m. second Sarah A. Murdough (see Murdough family). 

Aaron Brown, whose father was an officer in the Revolutionary army, 
m. Polly Gates — eh., I., Aaron, m. Eadey Watts (see Watts family) — ch., 

1, Eadie D., m. Capt. George Stevens of Marlow; 2, Mary M., m. Amos 
Fletcher of Hollis ; 3, Isaac, m. Frances L. Bundy, s. in Surry — ch., (1) 
George B., (2) Charles H., (3) Mary, (4) Frederic ; 4, Samuel, d. unm. ; 
5, Martha M., m. Samuel C. Savory of Alstead — ch., (1) Eugene J., (2) 
George L., (3) Emily D. ; 6, John C, m. Jennette Snow, residence Wal- 
pole — ch., (1) Angibelle, d. young, (2) Annette, (3) Orr W. ; 7, George 
R. , practising law in Newport ; read law with Edmund Burke ; studied at 
Tufts College; 8, Maria L., m. Moses Moulton (see Moulton family); 9, 
James H. ; 10, Emily A. II., Polly, m. Alden Gee of Marlow — ch., 1, 
Polly R., d. young; 2, Harriet A. ; 3, Lucinda, d. young; 4, Lucinda ; 
5, Allie M. ; 6, Betsey M. ; 7, Nathan ; 8, Marinda ; 9, Elsie ; 10, Dustin 
A. ; 11, Mary F. III., Isaac, m. first Mary Newton (see Newton family) 
— ch., 1, Coolidge N., residence California. III., Isaac, m. second Sarah A. 
Bliss — ch., 2, Charles N. ; 3, Sylvester; 4, Mary. 

Francis and Gardiner Brown were of the seventh gen. in America, 
Francis of Marlow being the sixth, b. 1755 ; Jonathan of Watertown, fifth, 
b. 1724; Jonathan of Watertown, fourth, b. 1694; Abraham of Water- 
town, third, b. 1679 ; Jonathan of Watertown, second, b. 1635 ; and Abra- 
ham Browne, the first, was a surveyor, and the first settler in Watertown ; 
came from Bury St. Edmunds about 1630. Francis s. in Acworth in 1818 ; 
m. Lucinda Alexander (see Alexander family) — ch., I., Nancy, m. Horace 
Mason (see Mason family). II., Marinda, m. Frederic Grout (see Grout 
family). III., Calvin A., m. Nancy Davis — ch., 1, Edward Payson; 2, 
Lucinda; 3, Martha. IV., Lorin, m. Eveline Knowles — ch., 1, Francis; 

2, George ; 3, Frederic. V., Selic Osborne, m. Maria Whipple — ch., 1, 
Harriet; 2, Mary Ella. VI., Lucinda, d. unm. VII., Lois, m. George 
Houston (see Houston family). VIII. , Guilford Dudley, m. Mary E. 
Fisher — ch., 1, Guilford Dudley; 2, Mary Adelaide; 3, Edmund Janes; 
4, Henry Eddie. Gardiner s. in Acworth, m. Lucinda Prescott — ch., I., 
Francis G., m. and residence Boston. II., Martha P., m. Charles Robin- 
son (see Robinson family). 

Jural Buck of Reading, Vt., s. in Acworth in 1862, m. Candace Jones 
— ch., I., Anna E. ; II., Anise L. ; III., Jonathan B. ; IV., Rollo J. 

JouN BucKMiNSTER, a native of Francestown, s. in Acworth 1850, m. 
first Elvira Beckwith, m. second Miriam Miller — ch., I., William A., d. 
unm. II., Henry M., d. in army. III., Clara E., d. unm. IV., JohnC. 

Orna B. Burniiam of Hillsborough, m. Mary M. Gould, (sec Symonds 



BURNHAJI— BUSWELL. 193 

family), s. in Acworth 1845 — ch., I., Henry F., m. Jennie A. Kennedy 
(see Kennedy family). II., John M., d. young. III., Mary L. 

David Buss, son of David, native of IMarlborough, and Anna Jones of 
Dublin, m. Abigail C. Mack, daughter of Jonathan Mack of Charlestown, 
came from Marlow to Acworth in 1835. 

Rodney Buss, of Wilton, s. in Acworth in 1841, m. A. Huntley — ch., 
I., George W. Francis Buss, brother of Rodney, s. in Acworth in 1841, 
m. Mary F Butler— ch., I., Henry T. II., John W. III., Ezra A. 
IV., Elma A. (Last two are twins.) 

Mrs. John Buswell, a native of Goffstown, m. her second husband, "Wil-- 
liam Addison, and brought her family by her first husband to this town in 
1806, consisting of I., Ebenezer, ra. Jane Kemp — ch., 1, Ermina J., ra. Jo- 
seph Beckwith — ch., (1) Edward S., m. , had one child; 2, 

Abraham, d. young; 3, Aurilla B., d. unm. ; 4, Judith H., m. Robert 
Kennedy (see Kennedy family); 5, George M., residence East Elmore, Vt.j 
m. Laura Cooper — ch., (1) Charles F., (2) Lillie ; 6, Horace, m. Mrs. Lou^ 
isa (Symonds) Richardson (see Symonds family) — ch., (1) Cordelia A., (2) 
Elbridge, (3) Clara, (4) Lyman; 7, Lyman, m. Cornelia Slader — ch., (1) 
Eva E., (2) Albert E., (3) Nellie M., (4) Lillie, (5) Alma, (6) Edward, (7) 
Nannie; 8, Daniel, m. Alzii-a Currier — ch., (1) Clarence L., (2) Lizzie I., 

(3) ; 9, Hiram P., m. first Marietta Thompson, residence Haukly, 

Vernon County, Wis., m. second Josephine Bemis ; 10, Abraham, m. Mary 
Caulkins, residence Nashua, Iowa — ch., (1) Jennie, d. young, (2) Roland, 
(3) Clinton ; 11, Betsey, m. J. Milton Mears of Peterborough — ch., (1) 
Ellie E., (2) George, (3) Frank ; 12, Nancy A., m. Hosea Proctor of Stod- 
dard— ch., (1) Herbert L., (2) Edgar W., (3) Willie E. II., Joseph, m. ' 
Rebecca Hoag, residence Goffstown — ch., 1, Mary A., m. W. H. W. Ball 
— ch., (1) Clarabell; 2, Thomas B., m. Harriet.Eveleth- ch., (1) Emm^; ' 

3, Pamelia, m. first William B. Cook— ch., (1) William H., (2) Mary Li, 
d. young; 3, Pamelia m. second James M. Reed (see Reed family). III.* 
John, m. Desire Polly (see Polly family) — ch., 1, Nancy, m. Daniel W.- 
Thorapson; 2, Orlando, m. first Betsey Pierce — ch., (1) Ella L. ; m. second- 
Martha Wilson; m. third Elizabeth Prescott, residence Hooksett; 3, Amosj 
m. Julia A. Reed (see Reed family) ; 4, Gardiner, m. Abbie Caswell, resi- 
dence Vermont — ch., (1) Ada, (2) Freddie; 5, Mary, m. Dester Pierce of 
East Jaffrey— ch., (1) J. Minot, (2) Lorin D., (3) Willie, (4) Dora F., (5) 
Jessie, (6) Austin, (7) Myron ; 6, Sarah, m. Solon Anderson of Unity (see 
Ingalls family) ; 7, Martin Van B., m. Hattie Peacock, residence Minnesota 
— ch., (1) William H., (2) Sarah A. IV., Nancy, m. Benjamin Kemp (see 
Kemp family). V., James, m. Mary Lakin — ch., 1, Solon, d. unm. ; 2, 
Nancy J., m. John W. Wheeler (see Wheeler family) ; 3, Emeline, m. 
Oshea Lincoln, residence Charlestown, Mass. — ch., (1) George, (2) Arthur; ; 

4, Desire, d. unm. ; 5, Joseph; 6, Sarah A., m. David Richards, residence 
Charlestown— ch., (1) Albert H., (2) Emma T., (3) Stella M. ; 7, Hannah, ' 

25 



194 GENEALOGY. 

m. Curtis R. Spaulding, residence Lunenburg, Vt. — ch., (1) Alice, (2) Fred- 
eric, (3) Charles, (4) Jennie, (o) Nellie, (6) Oliver; 8, John F., m. Lydia 
Peasley ; 9, Mary A. 

Benjamin Butterfield m. Polly Hackleton about 1803 — ch., I., Polly, 
m. Joel Newton (see Newton family). II., Nancy, m. Samuel Griffin (see 
Griffin family). III., Docia, m. Ezra Miner (see Miner family). IV., Shu- 
bel. v., Benjamin. VI., Coolidge, rem. to Walpole. 

Daniel Camphell (a lineal descendant of John Campbell, Duke of Ar- 
gyle), b. in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1660; was an officer in the army of 
William the Third, and was in the battle of " Boyne Waters." At the close 
of that war he settled in the north of Ireland. x\mong his children were 
Heniy, b. in 1697, m. Martha Black, and sailed with his wife and five sons 
to America in 1733. These sons were William, Samuel, James, John, and 
Henry. Another son, Daniel, was b. in America, who lived in Amherst to 
the advanced age of 100 years. All these sons, except James, had families. 
The father d. in 1785, aged 88 years. Of these six sons, William, Samuel, 
and Henry have descendants in Acworth. Of William's five sons, James, 
David, and Daniel were soldiers in the Continental army. After their dis- 
charge, James and Daniel s. in Acworth. James was discharged on account 
of sickness, having been brought to the point of death by small-pox and 
camp fever. He was a weaver, a common occupation of the men among the 
Scotch-Irish of that day. His warm coverlets are still remembered by the 
oldest. 

James Campbell, m. first Anna Blood (see Blood family) in 1779 — ch., 
I., William, d. in Barnet, Vt., 1809. II., Molly, m. Eliphalet Currier 
(see Currier family). III., Amos, m. first Martha, daughter of David 
Campbell of Windham — ch., 1, Eliza, m. Rev. William S. Lewis of Oberlin, 
Ohio; 2, Harriet, m. Newton Gage (see Gage family); 3, William. III., 
Amos, m. second Polly Ingalls, daughter of Amos Ingalls (see Ingalls 
family). IV., Anna, m. John Buel of Newport, d. in Norwich, Vt. V., 
Betsey, m. Jesse Thornton (see Thornton family). VI., Sally., d. unm. in 
1819. VII., Sophia, m. Samuel Newman of Washington — ch., 1, Nancy 
Jane, m. Rev. Lorenzo Draper of Claremont. VIII., Minda, d. young. 
IX., David, m. Sylvia Taylor of Washington — ch., 1., Moses D., m. Paulina 
Whitteraore— ch., (1) Ella, b. 1847, (2) Hattie, (3) Charles, (4) Julian, (5) 
Sylvia, (0) Edith; 2, Miranda, d. young; 3, Miranda S. ; 4, Leander V. 
E. ; 5, an infant son; 6, George; 7, James, m. Caroline St. John — ch., 
(1) Samuel St. J., (2) William D., (3) James; 8, an infant; 9, George 
Thompson, served three years in army in late war, m. Martha Whittemore ; 
10, Mary M. ; 11, Emma C. Six of these children d. in childhood. Three 
of the sons were pioneer settlers in Wright County, Minnesota. IX., Da- 
vid, m. second Nancy Parker. James Campbell m. second Mrs. Anna 
Nurse, the mother of Mrs. William McClurc and Mrs. Wilham Jackson — 
ch., X., Miudia, m. Asa D. Moore (sec Moore family). 



CAMPBELL. 195 

Daniel Campbell, brother of James, m. first Jane Wallace (see Wal- 
lace family), s. in Acworth, 1785 — ch., I., Henry, went through Dartmouth 
College but did not graduate for reasons entirely honorable to himself, rem. 
to the West. II., May, m. Luther Stuart of Berlin, Vt. Of her a friend 
writes: "Mrs. Stuart was in some respects a remarkable woman, singularly 
well-read for her opportunities in English literature and especially in the 
whole range of English poets." She was "wonderfully sympathetic, af- 
fectionate, and magnetic in her influence upon others." Her children were, 
1, Henry L., read law with Hon. A. L. Baker of Buffalo, N. Y. ; studied 
medicine with Dr. Hatch of Fort Ann, N. Y. ; from 1837 to 1840 a civil 
engineer in Michigan; has resided in New York City since 1844, where he 
has been interested in the development of various appliances of inventive 
mechanics, and associated with various reformatory movements in the city. 
"His varied pursuits have brought him into contact with most of the lead- 
ing thinkers and workers of the metropolis. He has long been known as 
perhaps the most trusted personal friend of Horace Greeley." In 1856 
hem. Maria L. Stoddard of Hudson, N. Y. ; 2, Volney H., has been twice 
m., and has a large family of children ; 3, Carlos D., for four years chief 
editor of the New York Sun ; for two years published a daily paper of his 
own called "The New Yorker." He published in his boyhood a book of 
poems entitled " lanthe and other poems." In his " Recollections of a Busy 
Life,". Horace Greeley writes of him: "Of those I knew and loved in 
youth the majority have already crossed the dark river, and I will not impose 

even their names upon an unsympathizing world. Among them is 

a young poet of promise, who was slowly yielding to consumption, when the 
tidings of our Bull Run disaster snapped short his thread of life." He left 
a wife and daughter, res. Long Island; 4, Caroline J., m. Walter Hewitt. 
She assisted her brother Henry in the organization of the Woman's Hospital 
in New York; 5, Mary E., m. James Corning, res. Troy; 6, John R., res. 
Irvington, N. Y. ; 7, Rosamond C, m. Nourse of New York, Agri- 
cultural Implement Manufacturer. III., John. IV., Seth. V., Charlotte, 
m. Sylvester Deming — ch., 1, Seth; 2, Nancy Jane, m. William Balloch — 
ch., (1) Ellen T., (2) Emily A., (3) William W., (4) Mary L. VI., Nancy 
W., m. John Davis — ch., 1, Louis; 2, Orzro; 3, Oscar. Daniel Camp- - 
BELL m. second, Ann Houston of Bedford — ch., VII., Jane, d. young. 
VIII., Susannah H., m^ T. M. Dickey (see Dickey family). IX., Thomas 
J., m. Naomi Terry of Whitefield, Me.— ch., 1, Daniel; 2, Mary T. ; 3, 
Laura A.; 4, John E. ; 5, Amanda; 6, Emma; 7, Cora. X., Joseph, d. 
young. XI., William, m. Nancy Nash of Gilsum, d. in St. Joseph, Mo., 
1851— ch., 1, Adoniram J. ; 2, Rosalba T. 

Isaac Campbell, (son of Samuel, the second brother whose descendants 
came to Acworth,) was b. in Windham, 1766, s. in Acworth about 1794, , 
m. Nancy Miller of Bedford in 1795— ch., I., Mathew M., m. OUve C. 
Moody, 1816 — ch., 1, Wilson, m. Mary J. Allcock, res. Charlestown — ch., 



196 GENEALOGY. 

(1) Charles W., (2) Fred, and four others; 2, Abel, m. first Lizzie Page, 
m. second Rachel Witham, res. Lowell — ch., (1) Claude; 3. Nancy, m. 
Jacob Boyce, res. Providence, R. I. — ch., (1) Ellen, and four others; 4, 
Mary, m. Hiram Bean, res. Boston — ch., (1) Alice; 5, Sarah J., res. Low- 
ell. II., Henry, m. Amira Abel, 1822 (see Abel family) — ch., 1, Emily, 
m. first William Lewis, res. Nashua — ch., (1) Ellen, m. George McDuffie 
(see McDufiie family); 1, Emily, m. second Haynes Batchelor of Nashua — 
ch., (2) Laura; 2, Julia, m. Joseph Tasker, res. Nashua — ch., (1) George; 
3, Laura; 4, Maria, m. George Porter of Nashua; 5, Mary Jane, m. John 
Clark (see Clark family); 6, Henry, d. young. III., Horace, m. Sarah 
Grout in 1825 (see Grout family) — ch., 1, Mary G., m. Charles B. Cummings 
(see Cummings family) ; 2, Sarah A., m. Henry Silsby (see Silsby family); 
3, Nancy, m. Rev. Chester Dingraan ; 4, Freeman H., ra. Mariette Grout 
(see Grout family) — ch., (1) AmyD.; 5, Sylvester, m. Maria Manson, d. in a 
military hospital in Louisiana, Assistant Surgeon in the Sixteenth New Hamp- 
shire Regiment (see Dr. A. R. Cummings' response); 6, Ebenezer G. IV., 
Mary M., m. first Joseph Barney (see Barney family), m. second Abel Bai- 
ley (see Bailey family). V., Isaac, m. Dorcas Glendenning, 1832, m. sec- 
ond Mrs. Rhoda (Emery) Steele. VI., Nancy, m. John G. Paige (see Paige 
family). VII., Sarah, m. Zia Peck (see Peck family). Isaac Campbell 
m. second Fannie Chatterton (see Chatterton family), m. third Mrs. Susan- 
na Hall. 

James Campbell, son of Henry Campbell (the youngest of the five sons 
who emigrated from Ireland) and Janet Mack, who was b. on the ocean, — 
was b. in Londonderry; enhsted in the Continental service for three years or 
durino- the war in 1777; was wounded in the battle of Stillwater. After 
peace was declared in 1783, he rem. to Acworth, having purchased his farm 
in 1781. He was much employed as a surveyor and conveyancer; kept 
school in various places in the winter from 1783 to '91. He was often in 
office in the town, as will be seen by reference to the list of town ofiicers. 
The accuracy with which he kept the town records, and his penmanship, were 
remarkable for the times. He was elected Register of Deeds in the County 
of Chesliire in 1803; held the office by successive re-elections until his death, 
in 1825, without opposition. His son Lewis held it in the same manner from 
his fother's death until 1836, at which time he resigned on account of ill 
health. James Campbell m. Desire Slader (see Slader family) — ch., I., 
Henry, b. 1793, d. 1855, m. Sarah Cummings — ch., 1, Charles Henry; 2, 
Mary Helen, m. James C. Tucker — ch., (1) Edward, (2) James; 3, George 
Lewis, d. young; 4, George Lewis, m. Mary J. Cummings — ch., (1) 
Harry. II., James Harvey, d. 1851. III., Emily, m. Lewis Gilmore — 
ch., 1, Albert West, b. 1822, m. Louise Way; 2, George Mason, m. Sophia 
Metcalf— ch., (1) George H., (2) Frank M., (3) Minnie S., (4) Jennie M., 
(5) Julia H., (6) Albertine L. ; 3, Solon Campbell, d. young; 4, Emily 
Augusta; 5, Solon Campbell, m. Annie L. Cleveland; 6, Julia Helen; 7, 




A- 



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CAMPBELL— CAELETON. ' 197 

Harriet L., m. Winslow C. Neal (see Neal family). IV., Mason, m. Mary 
L. Chaddock — ch., 1, James Calvin; 2, Albert Henry, m. Mary P. Steb- 
bins— eh., (1) Edward I., (2) Fannie C, (3) Albert M., (4) Charles; 3, 
Dulcie C, d. young; 4, John M. ; 5, Adah B., m. Charles Demond — ch., 

(1) Charles M., (2) Mary A. ; 6, Mary A. ; 7, George C. V. Solon, d. 
young. VI., Lewis. VII., Sarah S., m. John S. Walker. VIII., Jane 
C, m. Cyrrel Carpenter — ch., 1, James S. ; 2, Jane A. ; 3, Sarah C. IX., 
Mary W., m. Elbridge Keyes. X., Edna A., m. William W^hittaker — ch., 
1, Willieanna. 

RuFus Carey of Lempster came to Acworth in 1856, m. first Persis E. Glea- 
son (see Gleason family), m. second Susan A. Dodge (see Asa Dodge family). 

Dean Carleton rem. from Lunenburg, Mass. to Charlestown about 17G7, 
to Acworth in 1771, m. Keziah ; was one of the eight original mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church — ch., I., Dean, m. first Thankful Byam, 
m. second Lucy Ingalls — ch., 1, Amos, m. Charlotte GrifSn — ch., (1) Guy, 

(2) Chester, (3) Ira B., (4) Mary, (5) Janes, (6) William; 2, John B., m. 
Rboda Monroe, residence Cambridge, Mass. — ch., (1) Maria R., (2) Hollis, 
(8) John D. ; 3, Guy, m. first Betsey Fisher, residence Wisconsin — ch., (1) 
Roswell, (2) Thomas, (3) Phebe, (4) Martha, (5) Hollis, (6) Tirzah, (7) 
Charles; 4, Polly, m. Obed Fisher— ch., (1) Thurston, (2) Eliza, (3) Char- 
lotte; 5, George, m. Eliza Hastings — ch., (1) George, (2) William, (3) 
Hubbard A., (4) Eliza; 6, Roswell, m. first Eunice Tucker, m. second Mrs. 
Betsey (Pearsons) Hovey (see Pearsons family), residence Whitefield — ch., 
(1) Serena D., (2) Mary T., (3) Frances J. ; 7, Thomas, residence Cam- 
bridge ; 8, Willard, ra. first Clarissa Smith (see William Smith family), ra. 
second Comfort Kimball, residence St. Johnsbury, Vt. — ch., (1) Charles 
G., (2) Mary J., (3) Albert W., (4) Henrietta, (5) Maria C, (6) Frank 
W. ; 9, Daniel, residence Hopkinton, Mass. ; 10, Tirzah, m. Joseph Heaton 
of Franklin, Mass. — ch., (1) Albert, (2) Joseph, (3) George, (4) Samuel, 
(5) Mary A., (6) Melinda ; 11, Sarah, m. Hezekiah Hawkins, residence 
Massachusetts. II., George (son of Dean, Sr.), m. Elizabeth Plunkett, 
residence Philadelphia. III., Willard, m. first Joan Woodbury (see Wood- 
bury family) — ch., 1, Malvina; 2, Joan; m, second Hannah Perkins. IV., 
Jonathan, m. Polly Butler, residence Cincinnati. V., Abigail, m. William 
Orcutt (see Orcutt family). VI., Phebe, m. Samuel Sprague West (see 
West family). VII., Polly, m. Andrew Woodbury (see Woodbury family). 
VIII., Betsey, m. John Barney of St. Johnsbury — ch., 1, George; 2, Ju- 
lia; 3, John; 4, Maria. IX., Tirzah, m. Presby W^est, residence St. Johns- 
bury — ch., 1, Lewis; 2, Harriet; 3, Lois; 4, Presby; 5, Tirzah. 

Oliver Carleton, a native of Mt. Vernon, s. in Acworth about 1804, 
m. Mary Farnum — ch., I., Oliver, m. Tryphena Blanchard (see Blanchard 
family) in 1814 — ch., 1, Mary, d. young; 2, Clarissa, m. Thomas S. Ring, 
d. in Java, N. Y., 1848 — ch., (1) John C, d. young; 3, Caroline, d. 
young; 4, Louisa, m. George W. Nye — ch., (1) George W. C. ; 5, Oliver, 



198 GENEALOGY. 

d. young; 6, Caroline, m. Seth Leonard — ch., (1) Clara J. ; 7, David B., 
d. young ; 8, Lucinda, m. Thomas S. Ring — ch., (1) Annette A. and (2) 
Maria L., (twins), (3) Guy. II., Joseph F., m. Clarissa Blanchard (see 
Blanchard family) — ch., 1, Emily, m. Horace Orr — ch., (1) Charles, (2) 
Joseph 0., d. young; 2, John C. ; 3, Nancy B., m. Joel Osborne; 4, 
Alonzo ; 5, Clarista J., m. Winthrop Davis — ch., (1) Evelyn, (2) Alonzo ; 
6, Ann E. ; 7, Angeline M., d. young; 8, Joseph 0., m. first Lavenna 
Prescott, m. second Charlotte Fellows — ch., (1) Ada, (2) Joseph; 9, Hi- 
ram W. ; 10, Angeline M., m. Freeman W. Twilight; 11, Delinda, m. 
George A. Ames — ch., (1) Gertrude A., (2) Julia; 12, Julia C, m. Hen- 
ry D. McArthur — ch., (1) Bertie. III., Granville C, m. Mary Meader, 
residence in Amesbury — ch., 1, Granville; 2, Mary; 8, Jane ; 4, Charles; 
5, Thomas J. 0. IV., Mary F., m. Amos Woodbury (see Woodbury fam- 
ily), v., John, d. unm. VI., Hannah F., m. Jeremiah Fuller of Ver- 
shire — ch., 1, William ; 2, Melissa; 3, Evaline ; 4, Angeline; 5, Flyman 
B. VII., Stephen, m. Fannie Smith, residence Claremont — ch., 1, Mary 
M., m. Henry B. Freeman; 2, Amanda; 3, George H., m. Mary Mc- 
Laughlin ; 4, Elijah S. ; 5, Helen M. ; 6, Samuel S. ; 7, Charles W., m. 
Amanda Hersey. VIII., Benjamin Franklin, m. Betsey Lothrop, residence 
Morristown, Vt. — ch., 1, Alfred; 2, John. IX., Amy, d. unm. X., 
George, residence New Brunswick, m. Althea Bates. XI., Enoch, resi- 
dence Portland, m. Mary Lane — ch., 1, Charles. XII., Samuel, m. Eliza 
Spencer, residence Claremont. 

Dr. Stephen Carleton, brother of Oliver, s. in Acworth in 1803. He 
was the earliest comer of the trio of doctors who have spent their lives in 
Acworth, whose names will never be forgotten in town. " He was a man 
of few words, a gentleman of the old school, kind and generous in his feel- 
ings, and always trying to do his best when his services were required." 
There was no disposition in him to humbug people to promote his business 
interests. It was a favorite saying of his, " If people were aware how little 
doctors knew, they would not trust them as they did." He was quite suc- 
cessful in his practice, especially in fevers. He never married. He died 
in 1857, aged SB. 

Horace Chapman came from Lempster to Acworth in 1832, ra. Mahala 
Gould — ch., I., George A., m. Ruth J. Smith (see Smith family), residence 
Wheaton, 111. II., Elizabeth A., m. James Putnam of Charlestown. III., 
Isaac N. 

Moses Chase, m. Betsey Woods (see Woods family) — ch., I., Andros, 
m. Huldah Clark — ch., 1, Edward, d. in the army. II., Nancy A., m. 
Peletiah Clark (see Clark family). 

Joseph Chatterton was the son of Abraham, the gi-andson of Joseph, 
one of two brothers who emigrated from England to New Haven, Ct. Jo- 
seph s. in Acworth 1768. He .was however present in town the preceding 
year. A part of this time there was not another white person in town. He 



CHATTEETON— CLARK. 



199 



m. Hepzlbah Brown— ch., I., Benjamin, m. Eunice Woodbury (see Henry 
Woodbury family), residence Middlesex, Vt.— ch., 1, Eunice, m. Joel Cum- 
mings • 2, Benjamin, m. Milly Sanders ; 3, Horace, m. Roxy Woodbury ; 

4, Charlotte, m. first , m. second Miller; 5,. Clara, m. C. 

5. Wrisley; 6, John, m. Jane Marion ; 7, Vernon; 8, Hannah, d. unm. ; 

9 Philena, m. Loomis. IT., Fanny, m. Isaac Campbell, Sr. (see 

Campbell family). IIL, Polly, m. Philip Hoyt, son of Dr. Oliver's wife 
by her first husband, residence Middlesex, Vt.— ch., 1, Orliu ; 2, Phila ; 3, 
Granville; 4, Fannie; 5, Zelda ; 6, Franklin. IV., Phila, m. Newell 
Wadleighof Canada— ch., 1, Hiram; 2, Mary; 3, Lucy: 4, Joseph; 5, 
Araminta. V., Lucy, m. William Livingston, residence Potsdam, N. Y. 
— ch., 1, Fannie; 2, Anna; 3, Lucy; 4, Lavonia; 5, William; 6, 
Joseph; 7, Benjamin; 8, James. VI., Joseph, m. Roxanna Cummings, 
residence Stirling— ch., 1, Milon ; 2, Daniel; 3, Azubah A., burned to 
death ; 4, Alonzo. VII., Alpheus, m. Esther Richardson— ch., 1, George 
H., m'. Ann Tutherly, residence Charlestown— ch., (1) Lizzie H., m. Rich- 
ard Cornwell, (2) Martha A., (3) Grace C. ; 2, Laura L., d. young; 3, Ed- 
win S , m. Sarah Wilcox— ch., (1) Clara S., d. young, (2) Myra S., (3) 
Minnie E. ; 4, Alonzo L., m. Emily Bowles— ch., (1) Emma A. ; 5, Mary 
J., d. young; 6, Mary L. 

Iddo Church, a native of Gilsum, m. first Emeline Kemp— ch., I., Sally 
A , m. Otis- Hapgood of Winchester, Mass.— ch., two. Iddo Church m. 
second Betsey Hovey (see Hovey family)— ch.. II., Azal, m. Lydia J. Sy- 

Ephraim Clark came from Weare toAcworth in 1799, d. 1803, m. Hul- 
dah Clement— ch., I., Joseph, d. young. II., Jonathan, d. young. IIL, 
Ruth, d. young. IV., Eleanor, m. Robert Huntley (see Huntley family). 
V Lydia, m.'samuel Prentiss (see Prentiss family). VI., Polly, m. Sam- 
uel McKe'en (see McKeen family). VII., Ephraim, m. Huldah Williams 

(see Williams family)-ch., 1, John, m. Kemp ; 2, Lydia, d. young; 

3, Huldah, ra. Andros Chase (see Chase family) ; 4, Ephraim, d. young ; 
5' Peletiah m. Nancy A. Chase (see Chase family)— ch., (1) J. Tyler, m. 
Lizzie H. Johnston-ch., [1] Lizzie A., [2] Clara E., [3] Minnie E. ; (2) 
Geor-e D., m. Louisa J. MiUikin— ch., [1] Susie B. ; 6, Ephraim; 7, 
Mary°m. Daniel Pratt of Walpole— ch, (1) George, d. young, (2) Mary; 
8 Sarah, m. Richard Nason of Boston; 9, Lydia, d. young; 10, Phineas, 
d' young; 11, Alvira, m. J. W. Barber of Mason, Mass.— ch., (1) George 
W (2)° Charlie. VIIL, Peletiah, m. first Mary McKeen (see McKeen 
family)— ch., 1, John W., m. Phebe Huff" of Maine— ch., (1) Mary Jane, 
(2) Hellen,'(3) John W., d. young, (4) Isadore, (5) Fred, d. young. 
VIIL, Peletiah, m. second Lois Brooks of Alstead— ch., 2, Harvey, d. young. 
Gkorge, John, and Mary Clark were the children of Samuel and grand- 
children of James Clark, one of the first settlers of Londonderry. Their 
aunt Eleanor m. Robert Hemphill (sec Hemphill family). Mary m. Rub- 



200 GENEALOGY. 

ert Clark (see Thomas Clark family). George Clark was b. 1768 in 
-Windham, m. first Peggy Gilmore, s. in Acworth 1792 — ch., I., Samuel G., 
m. first Phebe Darling of Groton, Vt. — ch., 1, Calvin, m. Lucy Ann Frost 
— eh., two; 2, Sarah, m. Charles Whitteraore, residence Portsmouth — ch., 
(1) Charles, (2) George ; 3, Newton H., d. young. I., Samuel G.,m. second 
Martha Rhodes — ch., 4, Morris, m. Clementine Glyn of Haverhill ; 5, New- 
ton H., m. Emily Hatch of Groton, residence Janesville, Wis. — ch., (1) 
Emma, (2) Lavinia, (3) Gilmore ; 6, Phebe, m. Allen Bailey, residence Ha- 
verhill ; 7, Martha J., d. young. II., Calvin, m. Soj3hy Campbell of Wind- 
ham, residence Mooretown, Vt. — ch., 1, Dianthe, m. Rev. William C. High, 
residence Lowell — ch., (1) Belle; 2, Mary Ann, m. Charles Liscomb, resi- 
dence Turtle, Wis. — ch., (1) Samuel, (2) Martha, m. William Prentiss of 
Mooretown, Vt., (3) Matilda, (4) Charles, (5) Frank; 3, Samuel Gilmore, 
d. unm. ; 4, John C, m. Ellen A. SpafFord, residence Cresco, Iowa — ch., 
(1) Sarah, (2) Emma; 5, Nathan 0., ra. Ellen J. Carpenter, residence 
Janesville, Wis. — ch., (1) Nathan. II., Calvin, m. second Martha (Rhodes) 
Clark." III., Nancy, m. Nathan Orcutt (see Orcutt family.) IV., Morris, m. 
Lucy Y., daughter of Hon. Ambrose Cossit of Claremont — ch., 1, George 
M., d. young ; 2, Maria P.,m. Dr. G. S. Gove (see Gove family) ; 3, Em- 
ily C, m. Hartwell H. Southworth of Whitefield ; 4, Lucy E., m. Marshall 
P. Brace, residence Janesville, Wis. ; 5, Mary Jane. V., Maria, m. Pros- 
per A. Pierce of Mooretown, Vt. — ch., 1, Stephen C, m. Sarah Green of 
Janesville, Wis.— ch., (1) George, (2) Frank, (3) Arthur, (4) Ella, (5) 
John; 2, George Morris, m. Ann Comstock, residence Idaho. VI., John 
W., d. young. George Clark m. second Mrs. Esther (Rogers) Hobbs 

(see Hobbs family) — ch., VII., John, m. , residence Londonderry, 

Vt. — ch., five. VIII., Urial W., d. unm. John Clark m. Sally Grey — 
ch., I., Robert, m. Sophia Silsby (see Silsby family). II., Polly, m. Wil- 
liam Wallace (see James Wallace family). III., Samuel, residence Unity, 
m. Abigail Howe (see Howe family) — ch., 1, Lucy, m. Abner Sleeper of 
Unity ; 2, Moses, residence Wilton, m. Julia Gay (see Gay family) — ch., (1) 

Josephine L., (2) Frank G., (4) Ada M.; 3, Horace; 4, Alvira, m. 

Perkins; 5, Betsey, m. Frank Case; 6, Louisa, d. unm. ; 7, Mary A., d. 
unm. ; 8, Charles, m. Mahala Hull (see Hull family) ; 9, Emeline, d. unm.; 
10, Dean. IV., Matthew, rem. to Ohio. V., John, rem. to Ohio. VI., 
George, m. Lucinda Davis. VII., Bradley, residence Charlestown, Mass. 

VIII., Sally, killed by being thrown from a wagon. IX., James, m. 

Hutchins, residence Boston. X., Sophia, m. Hutchins, residence Bos- 
ton. XL, Thomas, rem. to Ohio. 

Thomas Clark, a native of Londonderry, b. 1744, m. Jane Alexander, 
sister of Mrs. John Robb (see Robb family), s. in Acworth 1777 — ch., I., 
Robert, b. 1773, m. first Mary Clark (sister of John and George) — ch., 1, 
Betsey, b. 1799, m. John Pearson (see Pearson family) ; 2, Amos, b. 1801, 
m. Leura Hall, residence Plymouth — ch., (1) Charles R., (2) Mary E., (3) 




^./^£^g^^~7X7x-r^ 



CLARK. 201 

Ella A., (4) George A., (5) Myron J. ; 3, Hiram, d. young; 4, Mary, m. 
Ezra Miner (gee Miner family). I., Robert, m. second Sally Wyman — cli., 

5, Hiram, b. 1817, m. Abby L. Hammond, d. in Lawrence, Kansas, 1855 • 

6, Robert, b. 1819, m. Augusta C. Caryl, residence San Francisco — ch., 

(1) Ella A., (2) Abbie Louisa, (3) Freddie H., (4) George S., (5) Willie 
L. ; 7, Thomas, m. Cordelia A. Richardson, residence Cambridgeport, was 
Lieutenant-Colonel in the Twenty-Seventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteers in 
the late war— ch., (1) Walter T., (2) Ida A., (3) Earnest R. ; 8, William, 
d. young; 9, Sallie, d. young; 10, Sarah A., b. 1827, m. Henry M. Bird, 
residence Somerville, Mass. — ch., (1) George H., (2) Sarah A., (3) Emma, 
(4) Freddie. II., Martha, b. 1777, m. Bradley Mitchell. III., William, 
b. 1779, m. Margaret Mitchell (see Mitchell family), residence New London 
— ch., 1, Bradley M., d. young; 2, William, m. Nancy Mitchell (see Mitch- 
ell family); 3, Horace, m. Betsey Davis — ch., (1) Cyrus B., (2) Arabell 
T., (3) Charles H. ; 4, Cyrus ; 5, Peggy J., m. Newell J. Nye (sec Nye fam- 
ily). IV., Hugh, b. 1782, m. Alexander, d. in Ohio. V., Thomas, 

b. 1791, m. Sally Maloon, d. in Plymouth — ch., 1, Lucy Ann, d. young; 
2, Hiram, m. Betsey D. Drake — ch., (1) Ellen A., m. Curtis S. Cummings, 

(2) Sarah I., (3) Clara T. ; 3, Sally, d. young; 4, Sally, m., Simeon C. 
Senter, d. in Thetford, Vt. — ch., (1) Jenette G., (2) Henrietta L. ; 5, Irena 
M., m. Joseph C. Fifield of Plymouth— ch., (1) Josephine, (2) Isabell, (3) 
Tilton F., (4) Emeline. V., Thomas, m. second Margaret Currier (see Cur- 
rier family) 1829 — ch., 6, Thomas M., d. young; 7, Thomas F., residence 
Indianapolis; 8, George, residence Indianapolis; 9, John C. ; 10, Robert; 
11, Martha M. ; 12, Helen; 13, Clara W., d. young. 

William Clark m. Esther Rogers — ch., I., Thomas, m. Lydia Woodbury 
(see Woodbury family), rem. to Middlesex, Vt. — ch., 1, Jonathan, d. young; 
2, Florinda, m. Roswell Walker (see Walker family) ; 3, Willard, d. unm. ; 
4, Thomas T., m. Laura Hayward (see Hayward family) — ch., (1) Jo- 
sephine H. ; 5, Hiram, m. Mary Lane — ch., (1) Annette, (2) Mary A. ; 

6, William H., m. Abigail Daniels — ch., (I) Laura, m. Willard Walker; 

7, Bradley M., m. Orpha Chapin— ch., (1) Fred, (2) Frank; 7, Bradley 
M., m. second Susan Lane — ch., (3) Carrie 0. ; 8, John, m. Helen M. Col- 
lier — ch., (1) Mary, d. young, (2) Hiram, (3) Alma, (4) Solon K., d. 
young. II., Ann, m. Enoch Johnson of Unity — ch., 1, Mary A., d. young; 
2, Clark, d. young; 3, Elsie, d. young; 4, Daniel, d. young; 5, Harvey. 
III., John, m. Mercy Himes, residence Middlesex — ch.,1, William 11. ; 2, 
Samuel S. ; 3, John R. ; 4, Ambrose H. ; 5, Silas S. ; 6, Cyrus T. ; 7, 
Ezra Y. ; 8, George L. ; 9, Martha A. IV., Patty, m. Crawford Tyler. 
v., Samuel, m. Achsa Smith (see Samuel Smith family) — ch., 1, Jerusha, 
m. Francis Cram, residence Charlestown ; 2, Samuel, m. Sarah Carroll — ch., 
(1) Almira C, ra. George Lamb, (2) Hiram 0., (3) Henry D., (4) Eunice 
R., (5) Lyman A., d. young, (6) Daniel G. ; 3, Cinthia, m. Alvin Frost, 
residence Charlestown ; 4, Daniel, m. Pamclia Cram (see Cram family) — 

26 



202 GENEALOGY. 

ch., (1) Harriet A.,d. young, (2) Oriette A., (3) Alma A., (4) Fred W., 
(5) Omer J., (6) Clintoa F., (7) Leilia J. ; 5, Harvey, m. Ilosaltha Fisk 
— ch., (1) Hannah J., (2) Helen F., (3) Aaron F. ; 5, Harvey, m. second 

Alzina Hoag. 

John Clark, of Newbury, s. in Acworth in 1858, m. Mary J. Campbell 
(see Campbell family)— ch., I, Henry A. II., Guy Herbert, d. young. 

Richard Clifford s. in Acworth previous to 1803, m. Hannah Richard- 
son— ch., I., Renjamin. II., Edward. III., Richard, m. Elizabeth Davis 
(see Thomas [Rriton] Davis family)— ch., 1, Thomas ; 2, John ; 3, Benja- 
min ; 4, William; 5, Elizabeth ; 6, Hannah ; 7, Polly; 8, Nathan ; 9, Rich- 
ard ; 10, Rebecca. 

EzEKiEL Clisby s. in Acworth about 1798— ch., I., Joseph, m. , 

— ch., 1, Lewis ; 2, John ; 3, Lydia; 4, Eliza; 5, Lyman. II., Solomon. 
Jerome C. Clough of Unity, s. in Acworth 18G6, m. Lucy A. Wood (see 
Alvan Wood family)— ch., I., Nellie L. 

Henry Coffin came from Jaflfrey previous to 1785, m. second Mehitable 
Smith, was a miller in South Acworth, and was drowned by a freshet which 
carried off his mill— ch., I., Daniel, m. Polly Currier (see Currier family); 
from him " Coffin Hill " takes its name ; rem. to Johnson, Vt.— ch., 1, Al- 
vira, m. Joseph Bruce; 2, Lucy ; 3. Arial, residence Boston ; 4, Martha, 
d. young ; 5, Henry, d. young. William Markham was guardian for Moses, 
David, and Lucy Coffin, ch. of Henry Coffin, in 1785. 

Rev. Phineas Cooke (see Rev. Mr. Foster's response) m. Sophia Grout— 
ch., I., Sophia, m. Bell, residence Amherst, Mass. II., George, grad- 
uated at Dartmouth College in 1832 ; studied divinity at Andover Theolog- 
ical Seminary ; ord.lined pastor of a Congregational Church at Amherst, 
Mass., January 16, 1839, dismissed 1852 ; became President of the Univer- 
sity of Tennessee ; resigned, and now resides in Boston ; m. Mary Gay of 
Nashua. III., Henry Grout, graduated at Dartmouth College, 1841. He 
■ read law and practiced in New York City some time ; then went south as an 
instructor; m. Helen M., daughter of Rev. John Smith. IV., Phineas, 
graduated at Dartmouth College, 1843; read law in NewYork City eight- 
een months; then went South as a teacher, and d. in Mississippi. V., 
Rebecca, m. and resides in the South. 

Dexter Copeland, native of Stoddard, s. in Acworth 1837, m. Hannah 
W. Hemphill (see Hemphill family.) 

WiNSLOW, Hezekiah, and Hannah Copeland were of the fifth gen. in 
America. Deacon Joseph was the fourth ; third, Jonathan, d. aged 90 ; 
second, William, m. the great-granddaughter of John Alden the Pilgrim; 
first, Lawrence Copeland of Braintree, who d. 1699, aged 110 ; the earliest 
ancestor known, 'came from England. Winslow, m. Hannah Slader, (see 
Slader family) and s. in Acworth, 1804— ch., I., Lucinda, m. Samuel Fin- 
lay (see Finlay family). II., Elmira, m. Elijah Cram (see Cram family). 
III., Huldah, m. Solon Ncal (see Neal family). IV., Joseph, m. Hannah 



COPELAKD— CRAM. 203 



I^inlay-ch, 1, Lucian H., m. Viola Fuller; 2, Melissa J., m. Wilbra 
Reed ; 3, Elmeda P. ; 4, Edna L. ; 5, Harriet E. V., Hezekiah, m^Ohve 
Nichols-cli., 1, Fannie F., d. young; 2, Winslow I.; 3, Frank E. ; 4, 
Arthur J. ; 5, Elmer H. ; V, Hezekiah, m. second Ann T. Chase. Yi., 
Hannah. Hezekiah m. Lucy Moore (see Moore family)— ch., I., Roland 
Ela- m. Elizabeth O.borne-ch., 1, Elmer P. ; 2, Mary Elizabeth; 3 El- 
liotl' • 4 Willie W. ; 5, Jennie L. ; 6, Lucy Moore. IL, Willard M., 
m Sarah Leach-ch., 1, Sarah P. ; 2, Frederic S. IIL, Louisa E. IV., 
Lucy Moore, m. Elbridge G. Butters-ch., 1, George Copeland; 2, Maria 
L • 3 Hattie A. V., Harriet. VL, Sydney, m. E. Jane Keen— ch., 1, 
Walter E ; 2. C. Sumner ; 3, Dora J. VIL, Angeline. VIIL, Cornelia, 
d youncr. IX., Pamelia G., m. Samuel H. Harris. X., Corneha. XL, 
Mary Ann, m. William H. Pethybridge— ch., 1, Ella Copeland. 

Warren Corning, native of Salem .^s., in Acworth previous to 1796; 
rem. to AAt«fe«la County, OhioYni,;Elizab^^,P^gill-ch., I. Warren. 
II Nathaniel. Ill, Mindwell.:^^' IV., RoyaL V., Nathan. VL, Lima. 
The above were b. in Acworth. Rachel was m. to George M. Dickey, and 
Harriet M., m. James Dickey (see Dickey family). Hannah Corning, sis- 
ter of Warren, m. Zachariah Woodbury (see Woodbury family). 

HiLLiARD Ezra, and Jesse Cram, natives of Weare, s.in Acworth 1799. 
They were brothers. Hilliard m. Sarah Gove (see Gove family) 1799- 
ch I Elijah m. Almira Copeland (see Copeland family), rem. to Bridge- 
port Ct— ch'; 1, Gulia H.; 2, Oscar J., m. Emma J. Hartshorn, res- 
idence Bridgeport, Ct.-ch., (1) Eda A., (2) Hattie B. ; 3, Etta A. ; 4, 
Helen L • 5, Solon H. ; 6, Samuel F., residence Providence; 7, Eugene 
L • 8 Carrie E IL, J- Shepard, m. Clarinda Gregg (see Gregg family), 
residence Hanover, d. 1845-ch., 1, Daniel H., m. Clemantina Jones, resi- 
dence Alabama; 2, Charles H., m. Harriet Blaisdell 1856, graduated at 
Dartmouth College 1854, residence Chicago-ch., (1) Clara, (2) Nathan 
D (3) Charles H., (4) Harriet B., (5) Bessie; 3, George H., ni. Harriet 
Britton 1859, mortally wounded at the battle of Fort Donelson-ch., (1) 
Georce H ; 4, Clara S., d. unm. 1854; 5, Sarah G. ; 6, Harriet E. ; 7, 
' John^S III , Willard, m. first Harriet Straw— ch., 1, Pamelia J., b. 1828, 
r^. Daniel Clark (see Clark family) ; 2, John S., d. young ; 3, Sally A. G 
m Jabez Alexander (see Alexander family) ; 4, John S d. ^n 1865; 5, 
Harriet A., m. George Porter, d. 1858 ; 6, Omar P., residence Mandiester, 
Va • 7 MarietteE b 1837. IIL Willard, m. second Charlotte R. Hough- 
ton-ch', 8, Alice J., b. 1848, m. J. Hodgman ; 9, Charles T., d. young. 
IV., Sabra, m. Hugh Finlay (see Finlay family). V., Julia, m. Roswe^l 
George (see George family). VL, Joseph P.,b. 1812, m. Po ly G^ Blanch- 
ard (see Blanchard family)-ch., 1, Nettie B., b. 1845, d. 865 ; 2, Henry 
L -3 Hiram H. VIL, Samuel G., d. young. VIIL, Marietta, m. Dan- 
iel J Warner (see Warner family). IX., Samuel G., d. young. Ezra, m. 
DiUy Balch, 1799, d. in Unity, 1856-ch., L, Hiram, d. young. IL, 



204 GENEALOGY. 

Thomas J., b. 1804, entered Military Academy at West Point, 1822 ; taught 
Mathematics in this institution for several years after graduation, after which 
he resigned his commission, and spent some time as a civil engineer in the 
West. He then accepted a captain's commission in the U. S. Corps of To- 
pographical Engineers; was on Gen. Taylor's staff at the breaking out of 
the Mexican War, but failure of health obliged him to return North ; was on 
the Coast Survey several yeai's. During the late war he served on Gen. 
Wool's staff at Fortress Monroe, afterwards stationed at Detroit, where he is 
now engaged on an important public improvement, the clearing of the St. 
Clair Flats for navigation ; ranks as Major General ; m. Mary Boggs, 1853 — 
ch., 1, Ida B. III., Polly, b. 1806, m. Harvey Bingham— ch., 1, Mary 
M., m. Gardiner F. Glidden— ch., (1) Harvey B. ; 2, Helen M., m. first 
George P. Spenser — ch., (1) Arthur E ; m. second William C. Hobart. 
IV., Eliphalet, residence, Racine, Wis., elected to the State Legislature in 
1855 ; member of the City Council in Racine in 18G3 ; d. in Detroit, 18G8, 
a valued member of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; m. Elizabeth A. Jones, 
1846 — ch., 1, Mary E. ; 2, Royce J. ; 3, Arthur B. Jesse, m. Lydia 
Bailey, 1798 — eh., I., Harvey. II., Orange. III., Moses. IV., Lydia, 
v., Cynthia. VI., Hannah. VIL, Ruel. VIII., Stephen J. IX., Mary 
J. X., Samantha. 

Julius Crossett, of Duxbury, Vt., s. in Acworth, m. Parthena A. 
Gleason (see Silas Gleason family) — ch., I., Nellie I. II., Eugene M. 
Julia Crossett, sister of Julius, m. Frank J. Paige (see Paige family). 

Rev. David Cummings, of Sullivan, rem. to Acworth in 1814, m. Azubah 
Richardson — ch., I., Roxanna, m. Joseph Chatterton (see Chatterton family). 
II., Alvah, m. Polly Grout (see Grout family) — ch., 1, Alvah R., com- 
menced to study medicine with Dr. William Grout, 1849, but was inter- 
rupted by a long and severe illness ; continued his studies with Dr. J. N. 
Butler of Lempster, meanwhile attending lectures at Dartmouth Medical 
School; received his degree in 1852 ; practised one year in Topsham, Vt., 
and two years at Washington ; attended lectures at New York Medical Col- 
lege, 1855; s. in Claremont 1856, m. Mary C. Davis (see Thomas Davis 
family)— ch., (1) Matt A., (2) Charles 0.; 2, Ebenezer G., was the first 
graduate of a Dental College from New Hampshire, receiving the degree of 
D. D. S. from the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery, 1855; he is 
very succesfully practising his profession in Concord ; he m. Jane Woodbury 
—eh., (1) Fred, (2) Irving; 3, Oscar, b. 1831, ra. Abby Noyes— ch., (1) 
Carrie; 4, George A., m. Elizabeth Smith, residence Concord — ch., (1) 
Frank, (2) Ida; 5, Mary Jane, m. Almon Young, residence Concord — ch., 
(1) Nellie; 6, Sarah A., m. George W. Young (see Young family) ; 7, 
Laura, d. young ; 8, Laura L., m. John Sanborn ; 9, D. Milon. III., Orra, 
m. Benjamin Grout (see Grout family). IV., Angela, m. Kimball Smith 
(see Smith family). V., Ruth, m. Harley Bailey (see Bailey family). VI., 
Ephraim, m. first Sophia Bailey (see Bailey family) — ch., 1, Charles B., m. 



CUMMINGS— CURRIER. 205 

Mary G. Campbell (see Campbell family; — ch., (1) Ellen, d. young, (2) 
George R. ; m. second Mrs. Louisa (Haywood) George (see Haywood family). 
VII., Sophia, m. Silsby Smith (see William Smith family). VIII., Don 
Alonzo, m. Mary A. Noyes, residence Matamora, 111. IX.. Fannie, d. unm. 

Doctor Arial Cummings (see Currier family), practiced medicine in Ac- 
worth from 1845 to 1848, m. Mary C. Grant — ch., I., Mary Helen, who was 
murdered in Rosbury, Mass., by an insane man, in her mother's presence, 
aged four years and a half. Dr. Cummings rem. to Roxbury ; died in 
Hempstead, Texas, in 1866, Surgeon of the Forty-Second Regiment of Mas- 
sachuseetts Volunteers. 

Paul Cummings rem. to Acworth from Charlestown, 1868, m. first 

, — ch., I., Mary. II., Austin. III., George. IV., Emma; m. sec- 
ond Harriet L. Morse (see Lorin Morse family). 

Mrs. Martua Ladd Currier, widow of David Currier, came to Acworth 
from Windham — ch., I., Lydia, m. Samuel Carlcton of Claremont — ch., 1, 
David, ra. Nancy Irish, residence Canada — ch., (1) Samuel, (2) Lydia, (3) 
Elenora, (4) Reuben, (5) Charles ; 2, James, m. Lucy Lewis, residence 
Canada; 3, Delia C. ; 4, Samuel, m. Theoda Lovell — ch., (1) John, (2) 
Caroline, (3) Helen, (4) George; 5, Rufus, m. Irene Bachelor — eh., (1) 
Susanna B., (2) Charles A., (3) George R., (4) Martha I., d. young, (5) 
Clark H., d. young, (6) Martha E., d. young; 6, Sally, m. Reuben Petty. 
II., John, s. in Acworth 1790, and his mother soon followed him, m. Susan 
Orcutt (see Orcutt family) — ch., 1, David, m. Mahala Reed (see Reed fam- 
ily), rem. to Unity — ch., (1) David 0., m. Julia A. Eddy — ch., [1] Bart 
0., [2] Jesse A. ; (2) Clarinda, d. young, (3) E. Susan, m. Eiiphalet 
Eddy, (4) Clarinda, m. Joseph Way, (5) Daniel H., m. Sarah A. Crandell 
— ch., [1] Charles, d. young, [2] George, d. young. [3] Charles, [4] George, 
[5] Ida Belle, [6] Elsie J. ; (6) Milton P., m. Jane McQuestion— ch., [1] 
Hattie, [2] Frederic, [3] Eddie, [4] Charles, [5] Dixie; (7) Hiram, m. 
Pamelia Straw — ch., [1] Edgar; (8) Sylvanus, d. young; 2, Daniel, m. 
Sarah Cutts, rem. to Unity — ch., (1) Viola L., m. John L. French, residence 
Hopkinton, (2) Almina P., (3) John E., (4) George D. ; 3, Malison, m. 
Arial Cummings, residence Ashburnham, Mass. — ch., (1) Arial I. (see Cum- 
mings family), (2) John L., (3) Lurinda, (4) Viola M., d. young; 4, Susan, 
m. Jerry Smith (see David Smith family) ; 5, Emily, m. Jeremiah Adams 
(see Adams family) ; 6, Louisa, m. Benjamin Gilman of Unity — ch., (1) 
Stephen, m. Mrs. Dianthe Harding — ch., [I] Stephen; (2) Joseph M., m. 
Ellen Sanborn, (3) Jemima P., m. Martin Cutts, (4) Frank F. ; 7, Fanny, 
ni. T. B. Adams of Nashua (see Adams family). III., Rachel, m. Ichabod 
Orcutt (see Orcutt family). IV., Hannah, m. John S. Orcutt (see Orcutt 
family). V., Delia, m. Levi Turner (see Turner family). VI., Timothy, 
m. first Jane Mitchell (see Mitchell family) — ch., 1., Lucinda, d. young; 
2, Lavina, m. Mo.ses Burpee of New London ; 3, John, m. Amy Ripley, 
residence St. Johnsbury, Vt. ; 4, Roxauna, m. James Gale, Andover; 5, 



206 GENEALOGY. 

Oliver, m. Julia A. Frazier, residence Danbury ; 6, Margaret, m. Thomas 
Clark (pee Thomas Clark family). VIT., Sally, m. Daniel CoflSn (see 
Coffin family). VIII., David, m. Dorcas Newhall — oh., 1, Caleb, m. Emily 
G, Warren ; 2, Rachel, m. Harvey Galusha. IX., Polly, m. Prentiss Ad- 
kins, residence Vermont. X., Eliphalet, m. Molly Campbell (see Campbell 
family) — ch., 1, Anna Blood ; 2, Eliza; 3, William; 4, Amos Bailey; 5, 
James ; 6, Adeline ; 7, Emeline ; 8, Eliphalet. 

William Dana, son of Elijah Dana of Goffstown, m. Almira Farmer, s. 
in Acworth 1866 — ch., I., George H., d. young. II., Alice J. 

PtOBKHT, Elizabeth, John, James, and Nathaniel Davidson, s. in Ac- 
worth, were all descendants of William Davidson who emigrated from Mene- 
more, in the north of Ireland, in 1728, s. in Woburn, Mass., m. first Mary 
Alexander — ch., Egbert, Nathaniel, William, John, George, Elizabeth, Jane ; 
m. second Margaret McCartney — ch., Alexander, Francis, Mary, Peggy. 
John, second gen., b. 1720, m. Sarah Nutt — ch. Sarah, Anna, John, James, 
b. in Tewksbury, Mass. ; Mary, William, Jesse, William, Elizabeth, b. in 
Windham. John, third gen., b. 1750, s. in Windham, m. Mary Lancaster 
(see Lancaster family) — ch. John, Dorothy, Sarah, James, Henry, Mary, 
Anna, William. James, third gen., b. in 1752, m. Hannah Hemphill (see 
Hemphill family), s. in Windham — ch. Nathaniel, Margaret, Sarah, Anna, 
James N., Mary. James N., John H. Robert Davidson, second gen., 
native Woburn, Mass, m. Mary Walker, s. in Acworth about 1772 — ch. L, 
Robert, d. unra. II., James, m. Ann Durant, d. 1800 — ch., 1, James, m. 

residence Springfield, Vt. ; 2, William; 3, Ira, m. Theda Parker, 

residence, Chester, Vt. — ch., (1) Parker, d. unm., (2) Armina, (3) Ann, 
(4) Ira, m. Mary A. Prouty, residence New York City, (5) Theda. 
HI., Margaret, d. unm. IV., John, m. first Judith Kemp, m. second 
Patty Kemp (see Kemp family), d. 1800 — ch., 1, Irene, m. Augustus 
Bradford (see Bradford family). Elizabeth Davidson, third gen., m. 
Ebenezer Lancaster (see Lancaster family). John Davidson, fourth gen., 
b. in Windham 1775, m. Abigail Prouty, sister of Mrs. John Duncan, s. in 
Acworth, 1800. He had quite an inventive genius. Most of his inventions 
had reference to the making and finishing of full cloth. Though these have 
been superseded by more recent improvements, yet most of these improve- 
ments sprung from his original inventions — ch. I., Caroline, d. IL, Orin, d. 
III., Elvira, m. Frederic Parks, s. in Springfield, Vt. — ch., 1, Orin H., d. ; 
2, Martha A., d. ; 3, Milon L. ; 4, Frederic A., d. ; 6, J. Milton. IV., Car- 
oline, d. v., Mary A., d. VI., Solon, d. VII., Mary L., m. Amasa Wool- 
son, residence Springfield — ch., 1, Helen A., d. unm. James Davidson, 
fourth gen., b. in Windham, s. in Acworth 1806, ra. Jane Davidson, who 
d. 1868, aged 84. He rem. to New Hudson, N. Y., in 1821, moving 
with his own teams all the way, four hundred miles. The last ten miles he 
was obliged to cut his own road through the woods, swimming his team across a 
stream, and carrying over his goods on an extemporized bridge. Here, in the 



DAVIDSON— DAVIS. 207 

wilderness, ho made himself a home among savages, waiting for civilization 
to overtake him — ch., I., Sumner, m. Sarah Ayres — eh., 1, Eva. II., Mary 
J., m. Philo B. Littlejohn — ch. 1, James R. III., Joshua L., m. Phebe 
A. Woodford — ch., 1, Herman; 2, Edson ; 3, Augustus; 4, Charlie; 5, 
Adela, m. Wm. Mandeville. IV., Stephen L., m. first Sarah Lancaster 
(see Lancaster family) — ch. 1, Mary Jane, "b. 1840; 2, Sarah Ann, m. 
Levi Rogers ; 3, Francis, d. young; m. second Susan R. Hampton — ch., 
4, Josephus, d. young ; 5, James 0. ; 6, Alice ; 7, Charles L. ; 8, Lottie, 
d. young; 9, Jennie B. V., Rebecca, m. Nathaniel D. Bell — ch., 1, 
James H. ; 2, Alfred ; 3, Frank, m. Betsey Stone ; 4, Flora ; 5, Charles ; 
6, Eddie; 7, George; two last twins. VI., Clarissa, m. William Mande- 
ville — ch., 1, Jennie. VII., James, m. Melissa ch. 1, Jennie, d. 

young. VIII., John, d. unm. Nathaniel Davidson, fourth gen., b. in 
Windham 1779, s. in Acworth 1800, m. ]\Jargaret Witherspoon — ch., I. 
Samuel, b. 1805, m. Lydia Jackman, Residence Colebrook — ch., 1, Royal 
N., born 1829, residence California; 2, James, m. Marion J. McClary, 
residence Thetford, Vt. — ch., (1) Herbert R., (2) Jessie A., (3) Martha 
E., (4) James K. ; 3, Emilene M., m. Mark T. Aldrich, residence Cole- 
brook— eh.. (1) Lillian B., (2) Edna A., (3) Walter S., (4) Royal W. ; 
4, Harlan P., m. Addie T. Ford, residence Penn. — ch., (1) Alice; 5 
Laurette B., m. Humphrey G. Jordan, residence Colebrook — ch., (1) Mel- 
ville C, (2) Mertis C. ; 6, Austin J., b. 1847, residence California. IL, 
Alvan, b. 1807, m. Anna Howe — ch., 1, Milon, graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1862, m. Gratia L. Andrews; is now a teacher in the Newhamp- 
ton Institute, Fairfax, Vt. — ch., (1) Mary Lulu; 2, Betsey A., d. unm. 
1869; 3, Eri, d. unm. III., Eri, b. 1809, m. Harriet P. Shepard, resi- 
dence Georgia, Vt. — ch., 1, Flattie A., m. first L. S. Haskins of Franklin, 
Yt._ch., (1) Elizabeth ; m. second E. D. Briggs— ch., (2) Paulina I. IV., 
Hannah, m. Henry Woodbury (see Woodbury family). V., Sallie L., m. first 
Samuel H. Woodbury; m. second Henry Woodbury (see Woodbury family). 

John P. Davis, s. in Acworth, afterwards rem. to Westminster, Vt., m. 
Caroline Wallace (see Adam Wallace family) — ch., I., Maria, in. Jacob 
Woodbury (see Woodbury family). II., Margaret. III., Martha. IV., 
Mindwell. V., Charles. VI., Harvey. 

Daniel Davis rem. from Claremont to Acworth 18C8, m. Betsey Davis 
— ch., I., Luther F., ra. Mary A. Morrison — ch., 1, Mary S. ; 2, Henry 
M. II. , Jonathan, m. Sarah Siddell, rem. to Perkinsville, Vt. — ch., 1, 
Lucy M. ; 2, Ida A. ; 3, Sarah J. 

Oliver Davis was of the third gen. in this country. His grandfather, 
Ephraim, emigrated from England about 1730, He served in the French 
and Indian wars. When peace was declared the body of troops with whict 
he was connected was discharged, far away from white settlements, without 
food, money, or suitable clothing. Many perished on their journey home. 
Ephraim Davis successfully made his way home, though nearly famished. 



208 GENEALOGY. 

subsisting for many days upon bark, nuts, and berries. One day he made 
his dinner upon a perch, cauglit with a pin for a hook, and though eaten un- 
dressed, he always declared it was the sweetest morsel he ever tasted. His 
son Jonathan was also a soldier, being present at the battle of Bunker Hill. 
Oliver, son of Jonathan, b. in Leominster, Mass., 1767, d. 1851 ; m. first 
Sally Pollard, m. second Relief Heath, rem. to Acworth, 1822 — ch., I., Sally, 
b. 1791, m. Joshua Greenwoood of Dublin — ch., 1, Sarah; 2, Charles; 3, 
Henry; 4, Curtis; 5, Henry ; 6, d. young; 7, Monroe. II., Lydia, m. 
first Jona. Sleeper, m. second Edward Savage (see Savage family) ; III., 
Lucy, m. Benjamin Winship, residence Hancock — ch., 1, George ; 2, John; 
3, Elizabeth ; 4, Ann ; 5, Abel ; 6, Oliver ; 7, Lydia ; 8, IMark ; 9, Re- 
lief; 10, Sarah; 11, Horace. IV., Betsey, m. Ruel Richardson of Peter- 
boro — ch., 1, Lydia; 2, Charles ; 3, Betsey; 4, Eliza; 5, Nancy; 6, Em- 
eline ; 7, Joshua. V., John, m. Catherine E. Houghton — ch., 1, Charles 
J., ra. Ellen M. Hubbard (see Hubbard family) ; 2, Nancy, ra. Hosea Proc- 
tor of Stoddard; 3, Henry, d. young; 4, Josephine B., d. young. VI., 
Lucinda B., d. young. VII., Lucinda B., m. Benj. Fletcher, residence 
Nashua — ch., 1, Mary Etta; 2, Lydia ; 3, Hattie ; 4, Benjamin ; 5, Lucius; 
6, Coolidge ; 7, Joseph ; 8, Elbridge. Vltl., Levi, m. Mrs. Susan Par- 
sons — ch., 1, Sarah F. ; 2, Josephine, d young. IX., Thomas J., m. first 
Calista Newton (see Newton family) — ch., 1, J. Newton, m. Artemissa E. 
Newton (see Newton family) ; 2, L. Hubbard ; 3, C. Marinda ; m. second Mrs. 
Polly Washburne. X., Oliver, residence Lempster, m. Elizabeth Moore — 
ch., 1, Henry J., d. young; 2, George E. ; 3, Jefferson T, ; 4, Charles B. ; 
5, Lucy; 6, William M.; 7, Benjamin F. ; 8, Lizzie. XI., Nancy, resi- 
dence New York, m. first John Adams; m. second Eldad Butler — ch., 1, 
Roanie C; 2, Immogene; 3, Josephine. XII., Joseph, b. 1813, residence 
Hancock, m. Mrs. Eliza Wallace — ch., 1, Charles J.; 2, Emma. XIII., 
Emeline, m. Henry Goold (see Goold family). XIV., Samuel, residence 
Unity, m. first Cassandra Marshall; m. second Rowena Keyes (see Keyes 
family) — ch., 1, Ellen M. ; 2, Sabrina ; 3, Martin; 4, Emma. 

J. Madison Davis came from Nelson to Acworth in 1850, m. Juliette A. 
Lincoln (see Lincoln family) — ch., I., Minnie. II., Carrie Bell. 

Elder Thomas Davis rem. to Acworth in 1796, native of Amesbury, 
Mass. In 1800 he became interested in the Society of Friends; joihed this 
society in Weare, in 1803, about forty miles from his home. He was for 
many years a constant attendant upon their monthly, quarterly, and yearly 
meetings. Nothing would prevent his attendance upon these meetings when 
able to ride. During this time, ministering Friends appointed meetings at 
his house. Neighbors attending these became convinced of the truth as held 
by that Society, and regular meetings were held at his house for several years. 
In 1820, a meetinghouse was built in Unity, and the meetings were after- 
wards held there. He was an efficient elder in his Society, a lover of 
retirement, an exemplary and useful man. Old people remember his coming 



>f;>*<i»4r5^v_ „ ,^_ 



,^. 





^^^^^-g^/^ 




DAVIS. 209 

into chnrcli one Thanksgiving Day, at the close of Mr. Cooke's prayer, and 
standing, hat in hand, exhorting his neighbors to cast their idols to the moles 
and bats, and worship Glod in spirit and truth. On the 18th of August, 
1834, (aged 82,) he died a peaceful death, having spoken in meeting but a 
few days before in a solemn and weighty manner. He m. first Lydia Green- 
leaf — ch., I., Thomas, m. Dolly Dowe of Weare — ch., 1, Mills; 2, John; 
2, David; 4, Thomas ; 5, Mary; 6, Sarah; 7, Eliza; two d. young, II., 
Sarah, m. Elijah Brown of Pittsfield — ch., 1, Samuel; 2, Lovell; 3, David; 
4, Lydia ; 5, Hannah ; 6, Sarah ; he m. second Lois Hadley of Weare — 
ch., III., Lydia. IV., Hannah, m. John Woodbury fsee Henry Woodbury 
family). V., Benaiah, m. Rachel Peaslee of Sutton — ch., 1, Thomas; 2, 
Lydia ; 3, William. VI., John, m. first Nancy Campbell, (see Daniel 
Campbell family) — ch., 1, Lois; 2, Osro ; 3, Oscar; m. second Eliza Bruce 
of Unity — ch., five. VII., Cotton W., m. Rhody S. Orcutt (see Orcutt 
family) — ch., 1., Sylvester, d. ; 2, George W., m. first Emeline G. Millikin 
of Littleton — ch., (1) Henrietta G., (2) Gilbert H. ; he m. second Mary 
Stevens of Lyman — ch., one; 3, Mary C, m. Dr. Alvah R. Cummings 
(see Cummings family) ; 4, Hiram, d. ; 5, Alvah, d. ; 6, Sarah F., m. Charles 
M. Lufkin (see Lufkiu family); 7, Lucena; 8, Gilbert; 9, Henry; 10, 
Frank E. ; 11, Sumner, d. 

(Briton) Thomas Davis, a British soldier, captured at the surrender of 

Burgoyne, s. in Acworth, m. Mrs. Patch — ch., I., Betsey, m. Richard 

Clifford (see Cliiford family). I., Polly, m. Samuel W. Blodgett. 

Salmon T. J. Davis, m. Rosa B. Biter. 

John and Margaret Dickey came with their two sons, Adam and Matthew, 
from Londonderry, Ireland, to Londonderry, N. H., 1729. Adam, second 
gen., b. 1722, m. Jane Strahan, and had the following — ch., Margaret, m. 
Col. John Duncan (see Duncan family) ; John, James, Adam, and Benja- 
min, 8. in Acworth ; Sally m. Robert Dinsmore of Francestown ; "Elenor m;- 
Dca. Jonathan Nesmith of Antrim ; another daughter m. James Dinsmore 
of Antrim ; Isabel m. Thomas McClure (see McClure family) ; Matthew s. - 
in Walpole ; Joseph s. in Acworth ; afterwards rem. to Ryegate, Vt. ; 
Thomas and Jane d. unm. James was of large stature, as well as large 
heart. To distinguish him from his cousin of the same name, he was called 
"big Jim." The prominent traits of his character were strict integrity, 
frankness, great plainness of speech, hospitality, benevolence, and a deep 
interest in matters pertaining to the public weal. On account of his single- 
ness of purpose, honesty, and sound judgment, although he never held civil 
ofiice, he was a welcome counselor in all objects of public moment, and his 
character was forcibly expressed by a cotemporary in a neighboring town, 
when he made the remark, " Capt. Dickey is a rough diamond." He m. 
Mary Pinkerton, sister of Mrs. Joseph Wilson, of Londonderry, and came to 
Acworth in 1790 — ch., I., Adam, residence Langdon. II., IMatthew, d. 1803. 
III., Jane, m. Jonathan Rogers (see Rogers family), d. 1820. IV., 
27 



210 GENEALOGY. 

Anna, d. 1819. V., Polly, m. Ebenezer Place — cb. 1, James; 2, Thomas. 
VI., Tbomas, ra. Jane Adams — eh., 1, Mary J. ; 2, Joseph A. ; 3, Margaret 
A., m. Henry Lebourveau, residence Mass.; 4, George P., m. Imogene Looiuis. 
VII., Joseph, m. Sally Grout (see Grout family), rem. to Langdon 1856, d. 
1866 — ch., 1, John P., m. Sophia B. King (see King family), residence 
Alstead; 2, James A., m. Nancy E. King (see King family) — ch., (1) 
Lenna J.;, 3, Mary E., m, Gustavus A. Hale, residence Langdon — ch., (1) 
Willie E. ; 4, fAmelia A. ; 5, Harvey J)., m. Frances E. Currier, residence 
Alstead; 6, Prances E., ra. Oscar S. Holden, residence Langdon — ch., (1) 
Leola A., (2) Mary L., (3) Harvey D. ; 7, Sarah J., m. Solon S. King (see 
King family). VIII. , Margaret, m. Alexander Grout (see Grout family), 
residence Claremont. ''Adam DiCKEy, (brother of James, Sr.,) m. Sally 
Marsh of Londonderry — ch., I., Mary A., d. young.» II., John, d. young. 
III., Othniel, d. young. IV., Sally, d. young. Benjamin, (brother of 
James, Sr., s. in. Acworth, 1796, m. Isabel Marsh — ch., I., Tirzah, d. young. 
II. , Emeline, m.\John Dickey of Lyman, residence Walworth, N. Y. — ch., 
1, Putnam; 2, Phinehas; 3, Mary J.; 4, Erasmus; 5, Ellen. III., Isabel, 
m. Daniel Chase of Salem, Vt. — ch., 1, Mary; 2, Sarah. IV., Marsh, in. 
Susan Smith of Somerset, N. Y., residence Albion, Mich. — ch., 1, Sylvester 
B. ; 2, George ; 3, Albert; 4, Anderson. V., Othniel, d. young. VI., 
Anderson, m. first Margaret Divine, residence ]^ufFalo, N. Y. — ch., 1, 
Mary; 2, Louisa; 3, Charles; m. second Maria Findley. VII., Sally, d. 
young. VIII., Sophia P., d, young. IX., Mary A., m. Albert Harring- 
ton — ch. 1, Albert, X., Thomas, d. unra. Matubw, (brother of James, 
Sr.,) m. Elizabeth March, s. in Walpole about 1797 — ch., I., Sophia, m, 
Calvin Pay — ch., 1, Lucy, m. Ecv. Mr. Waldo, residence (^uincy, 111. — ch., 
(1) Charles, (2) Edmund; 2, Calvin, m. (Jaroline Bradley, residence At- 
lanta, Ga. — ch., (1) Carrie, (2) Delia, (3) a son; I., Sophia, m. second Henry 
Goodnow, residence Keene-J— ch., 3, Henry; 4, George, residence Chicago, 

m. ch., (1) Nellie, (2) Carrie, (3) ; 5, Horace. II., 

Sarah, d. young. III., Betsey, m. J. B. Burnham of Walpole — ch., 1, 
Nancy, m. Rev. D. A. Russell; 2, Antoinette, m. Edward Willingtou, 
residence E. Saginaw, Mich. ; 3, Laforest, d. unm. IV., John, d. unm. 
v., George M., m. Rachel Corning (see Corning family), residence Mentor, 
0.— ch., 1, Warren C. ; 2,' Viola H. ; 3, George S. ; 4, Matthew. VI., 
Cyrus, d. unm. VII., Clement, residence Walpole, m. Betsey P. Russell 
— ch., 1, Josephine II. ; 2, Albert C. A^'IIL, James, m. Harriet M. Corning 
(see Corning family.) residence Mentor, 0. — ch., 1, Helen S., m. Wm. E. 
Pardee, residence Nebraska City — ch., (1) Hattie, (2) Lucy, (3) Blanche, 
(4) Jaraes; 2, Wallace C, residence Cleveland, 0. ; 3, Edward P., residence 
Mentor, 0. IX., Barnet, d. young. X., Josiah, d. young. XL, Lewis, 
resides on the old homestead in Walpole. Joseph, (brother of James, Sr.,) 
rem. to Ryegate, Vt., m. first Anna Barbor — ch., I., Anna. II., John, m. 
Emeline Dickey, residence Walworth, N. Y. — ch., 1, John P. ; 2, Pliineas 




^cc/L, 



-^ 



DICKEY. 211 

M. ; 3, Mary J, ; 4, Erasmus B. ; 5, Nellie M. III., Sydney, d. young. 
IV., Emeline, d. young. V., Solon, d. young. VI., Emeline, d. young. 
VII., Benjamin, m. Elhie Bays, residence Bufialo; VIII., Joseph, d. unm. 
IX., James, ni, first Charlotte A. Nelson; m. second Caroline Park; 
Joseph, m. second Hannah Nelson ; m. third Betsey Grout (see Grout fam- 
ily) — ch., X., Joseph S. James Dickey, second, was the grandson bf John 
and Margaret Dickey, mentioned above, and son of Matthew Dickey, who 
m. Janet, daughter of John Wallace and Annis Barnet, who were the first 
couple married in Londonderry, N. II. Matthew was a soldier in the Bevo- 
lutionary War ; his ch. were as follows : John, ra. Bhoda Varnum, residence 
Griggsville, N. Y. — ch., John P., residence Geneseo, N. Y. ; James V., 
residence Chicago; Phinehas W., residence Brooklyn, Cal. ; Hannah W.,m. 
Hon. G. VI. Patterson of Wesffield, N. Y. ; Jane D., m. Childs, resi- 
dence Griggsville; William G., residence Griggsville; Gilman, residence Hazel 
Green, Iowa ; Sarah C, m. Bryce, residence New York; Charles, resi- 
dence Marshall, Mich ; xilbert P., residence Bacine, Wis. Ebenezer, second 
son of Matthew, d. unm.; third, James; fourth, Samuel W., m. Sophia 
Stark, daughter of Gen. John Stark, of revolutionary memory — ch., Volkert, 
Samuel W., John M. ; Elizabeth S., Mary, Sarah, Caroline, and Benjamin 
F. The sons are all dead. Caroline m. Mr. Campbell of North Beading, 
Mass. , with whom her mother is now living. James came to Acworth in 1790, 
m. Anna Gilmore, daughter of Col. James Gilmore of Windham, in 1795, 
d. 1816. Although of small means, he had cleared and fenced (mostly with 
stone wall) more than one hundred acres, erected comfortable buildings, and 
reared a large family of children — all in twenty-one years — being one of 
many such instances, showing the industrious and persevering character of the 
early settlers of Acworth — ch., I., Theron, d. young. II., Jane, d. unm. 
III., James G., rem. to Franklin County, N. Y., m. first Julia Sprague of 
Constable, N. Y. — ch., 1, George F. ; 2, Laura A. ; 3, Harvey G. ; m. 
second Adaline Sprague of New Haven, Vt. IV., Betsey, d. young. V., 
John Freeman, killed instantly by the fall of a tree in 1828, unm. VI., 
Theron, residence Clarke, Prov. of On., m. first Ann Taylor — ch., 1, Leona ; 
2, Ann J.; 3, John T., m. second Elizabeth Wallace — ch., 4, William W. ; 
5, Harvey. VII., Caroline, m, Norman Wilson (see Wilson family). 
VIII., Clarissa, m. Hansom Hawkins of Springfield, Vt., residence Van 
Buren County, Iowa — ch., 1, George C. IX., Jonathan Harvey, m. Caltha 
Gilmore (see Gilmore family) — ch., 1, Gawin G. ; 2, James Freeman. X., 
Cyrus, d. in 1840, while a member of Senior Class in Dartmouth College. 

James Dickey, third, of Francestown, afterwards of Grafton, Vt., s. in 
Acworth 1812, m. Jane Mitchell (see Mitchell family), of Francestown — 
ch., I., Asenath, m. Moores Keyes (see Keyes family). II., Thomas M., m. 
first Susannah H. Campbell (see Campbell family) — ch., 1, Mary J., m. 
George Houston (see Houston family) ; 2, Philander J., studied at the law 
school connected with the University of New York ; admitted to the bar of 



212 GENEALOGY. 

the Supreme Court in New York City 1862, d. 1866, m. Angeline H. 
Woodbury; 3, John P., d. young; 4, Margaret Ann, d. young; 5, John 
L., a dentist in New York City, d. aged 23 ; had he lived, /he would doubt- 
less have been an ornament to his profession ; 6, Thomas M., m. Margaret 
E. Perrine — eh., (1) John L., d. young, (2) George H. ; 7, George G., d. 
unm. ; 8, Erskine H., successfully practicing dentistry in Brooklyn, m. 
Matilda M. Kendall; 9, Ellen P., d. young; XL, Thomas M., m. second 
Selinda K. Perhara. III., James, m. Harriet Livingston — ch., 1, Harriet 
A. ; 2, Levi Woodbury. IV., Levi W., d. unm. V., Mercy S., m. John 
Terry of Whitefield, Me. — ch., 1, Adolphus E., m. Elizabeth Prescott; 2, 
Ann R., m. E. T. Graves; 3, Woodbury D., d. young; 4, John H., m. 
Louise F. Mason ; 5, Clarinda M. ; 6, Daniel M. ; 7, Frances A. ; 8, Eliza 
A. VI., Mary E., m. John S. Symonds (see Symonds' family). VII., 
John, d. unm. VIII., Almond, m. Mary A. Higgins — ch., 1, Frances J. ; 
2, Ella A. ; 3, Flora C. IX., Nancy J., m. John Adsett — ch., 1, Melissa. 
X., Stephen C, d. unm. 

Samuel Dodge m. Hannah Andrews ; had nine children, of whom Sukey 
m. Joseph Albree of Acworth (see Albree family). Anna m. Samuel 
Eogers of Acworth (see Rogers family). Betsey m. Hugh Henry- of 
Acworth (see Henry family). Lucy m. in Acworth Asa Gilmore, and had 
sixteen children, of whom Gov. J. A. Gilmore was one. Sally m. Rogers 
Smith, and was the mother of Pres. A. D. Smith. Asa, the son of John, 
and grandson of Samuel, native of Amherst, came to Acworth in 1812, m. 
Susan E. Mann — ch., I., Asa M. II., Susan A., m. Rufus Carey (see 
Carey family). III., Amy A., was drowned. IV., David E. M., d. in the 
army at Hilton Head. V., George H. 

Thomas Dodge came to Acworth previous to 1795, m. Elizabeth Grout (see 
Grout family), rem. to Dorset, Vt. — ch., I., Don, d. young. II., Don. III., 
Laura, m. Davis. IV., John. V., Horace. VI., Nancy, m. Lake. 

John, Isaac, and George Duncan, three brothers of the 3d gen. in this 
country were natives of Londonderry, sons of William and Naomi (Bell) 
Duncan. Their grandfather, George Duncan and the son of George Dun- 
can, emigrated from Ireland. John, b. 1752, chopped down the first tree 
on his farm in Acworth, 1773, but until his marriage in 1778, spent his 
winters in Londonderry. He responded to his country's call when the news 
reached Londonderry that the British were marching on Concord, and anived 
at Lexington at sunrise the next morning after the first blood had been shed 
for America's freedom. He also, with several other Acworth men, joined 
Capt. Bellows' company going through the woods to New York State to 
assist in intercepting Gen. Burgoyne in his march through New York. In 
1780 he was elected with Henry Silsby to attend the convention of the New 
Hampshire Grants at Charlestown and Cornish, receiving $900 in currency 
for fourteen days' service, $72 being equal to $1 in silver. From that time 
for more than fifty years he was prominent in all town business. In matters 



DUNCAN. 213 

requiring tact and politic management, he was put forward. He was the 
most efficient in procuring the settlement of Mr. Cooke at a time when 
ministerial settlements by the town were becoming unpopular. The charac- 
teristic by which he was specially distinguished was shreivdness among neigh- 
bors in whom that quality abounded. Of his descendants, ten were in the 
war of the rebellion. 

Col. John Duncan m. first Margaret Dickey (see Dickey family) 1778 — 
ch., I., William, b. 1778, m. Ruth C. Gilmore (see Gilmore family), rem. 
to Lyman, and afterwards to Michigan — ch., 1, Delamore, m. Pamelia Clark 
of Ohio — ch., (1) Delamore, m. Mary Fields, and has three ch., (2) Edwin 
F., m. Ann E. Fellows, has three ch., (3) Charles C, (4) Helen M. ; 2, 
Eliza A., m. Timothy Fellows, rem. to Wisconsin — ch.}^) Gilmore, served 
in the late war, (2) Theodore, Captain in the Wisconsin 8th or Eagle Regi- 
ment, (3) Emma, (4) Ann E., m. Edwin F. Duncan of Michigan, has three 

ch., (5) Mary, (6) Kate; 3, William, m. ch., (1) Sadenia E., (2) 

William T., (3) Frances F. II., John, b. 1780, m. Betsey T. Putnam, 
rem. to Barnet — ch., 1, John P., d. unm. ; 2, Caroline, m. Nahum Wilson 
of Langdon; 3, Jane, m. John Gilchrist, rem. to Bath — ch., (1) John, first 
impressed into service in the rebel army, deserted, raised a company of cav- 
alry for the Union army, which he afterwards commanded, (2) George, 
m. Frank Clark, has two ch., (3) James F., (4) Horace, d. ; 4, Chap- 
man, rem. to Utah, m., and has ch. ; 5, Homer, m. in New York, rem. to 
Utah; 6, Betsey, m. Alexander Gilchrist of Bamet — ch., (1) William H. 
served in the Union army, m. Julia Mathews, (2) Alexander P., served 
in the army, m. Ellen L. Nelson; 7, Christiana, d. unm.; 8, Emily, m. 
Ziba Fisher, rem. to Michigan — ch., (1) Francis, (2) Lewis; 9, Dinsmore, 
d. young; 10, Ellen C, m. Henry Smith. III., Adam, b. 1782, ra. Doro- 
thy Lancaster (see Lancaster family), rem to Barnet, Vt. — ch., 1, John L., 
d. young; 2, Wm. Hai-vey, d. in Iowa, m. Aseneth Heath — ch., (1) Susan, 
m. Thomas GilfiUan of Barnet— ch., [1] Minnie E., [2] Ralph H., [3] 
Lycurgus H., [4] Ellen A., [5] Claudius H. ; (2) John G., m. Ellen 

Anderson, rem. to Iowa — ch., [1] Gilbert C, [2] Winona E., [3] ; 

3, Margaret A., m. John C. Gleason — ch., (1) Mary E., m. Rev. Isaac 
Bridgeman of Hanover — ch., [1] Walter Ray, [2] John C, [3] Mary F., 
(2) William D., (3) John L., (4) Eliza D., (5) Martha J., (6) George J)', 
(7) Laura A. ; 4, Adam, d. young; 5, George N., m. Hannah Peck, resi- 
dence Iowa — ch., (1) Margaret A., (2) Thomas J.; 6., Moses L., m. 
Susan Downs— ch., (1) Charles L., (2) Luella D., (3) Charles L. ; 7, 
James L., d. in St. Louis, Mo., 1846; 8, Horace B., d. youno'. IV., 
George, b. 1783, m. Martha Whipple — ch., 1, son, d. young; 2, Adeline, 
m. Charles G. Livermore of Alstead. V., Jane, b. 1785, m. John Nelson 
of Ryegate, d. 1814. VL, Rachel; d. young. VII., Isaac, b. 1789, m. 
Betsey Whipple, rem. to Barnet — ch., 1, Martha M., m. Joseph R. Dowse 
— ch., (1) George W., d. in the battle of Pea Ridge, m. Julia Posa — ch., 



214 GENEALOGY. 

two; 2, , d. young; 3, Betsey, m. George E. Harrington, rem. to 

Wisconsin — ch., (1) Charles L., (2) Annabel; 4, Adeline, d. young; 5, 
Emeline, m. first Edward Norris, rem. to California — eh., (1) Clarence E., 
d. young; m. second DeWitt C. Gaskell — ch., (2) Anna, (3) Edward C.,d. 
young, (4) Edward D. VIII., James, b. 1791, d. unm. Col. Duncan, m. 
second Betsey Prouty, sister of Mrs. John Davidson — ch., IX., Daniel, b. 
1794, d, young. X., Hiram, d. young. XI., Horace, b. 1799, rem. to 
Lyman, m. Koxanna Hall — ch., 1, son, d. young; 2, daughter, d. young; 
3, Martha W., m. John B. Warden of Bath ; 4, Mary L. ; 5, Horace H. 
XII., Fanny, d. unm. XIII., Cyrus, d. young. XIV., Harvey. XV., 
Milon. XVI., Solon (the three last d. young, of spotted fever). XVII., 
Betsey, m. Dr. Thomas J. Stevens, rem. to Charlestown, Mass. — ch., 1, 
Helen M., m. Rorace H. Pitcher, rem. to New York City; 2, Emma J.; 3, 
Milon. XVIII., Theron, m. Anna Newton (see Newton family); was killed 
in battle near Petersburg, Va., 1864 — ch., 1, Sarah M. A., m. Freeman E. 
Brackett (see Brackett family) ; 2, John B., d. from a wound received at the 
storming of Fort Fisher in 1864; 3, George; 4, Clara E. ; 5, Walter I. ; 
6, Arthur H. ; 7, Albert N. XIX., Mary, m. Carlos McNab of Barnet, 
Vt. — ch., 1., Carlos M., served in the late war, m. Mary Smith, rem. to 
Dubuque, Iowa ; 2, Frances J., m. Davis B. Prentiss (see Prentiss family). 
Isaac, brother of Col. John, m. Martha Moore — ch., I., Elizabeth, m. Rufus 
Brigham (see Brigham family). 

James Dyer came from Athol, Mass., to Acworth, in 1841, m. Mary 
Howe (see Howe family) — ch., I., George. II., Emily A. III., Charles F. 

Darius I. Eaton, native of Springfield, Vt., m. Belinda Spencer in 
1837— ch., I., Eliza A., m. Daniel C. Walker in 1861 (see Daniel Walker 
family). II., Belinda D., m. Orin E. Fisk of Charlestown — ch., 1, Martina H, 
III., Darius A. IV., Benjamin L. V., Helen L. VI., John T., d. young. 
VII., Mary E. VIII., Lyman B. IX., Mason W. X., Tyla T. XL, 
Aaron S., b. 1863, d. young. 

Cyrus Ellenwood, s. in Acworth in 1826, m. Sally Draper — ch., I., 
Sally. II., Harvey, m. Mrs. Estella Hill— ch., 1, Frederic S. III., 
Francis, m. Cynthia A. E. Whitman. IV., Simeon F., m. Susan Clark. 
v., Hiram, m. Martha Clark. VI., John W., m. Nancy Rollins. 

Peter Ewins, son of James Ewins, came from Londonderry to Acwortli 
previous to 1777 — ch., L, Josiah. II., James, d. unm. III., Nancy, m. 
Joshua Lancaster (see Lancaster family). Peter, m. second Sallie Hall. 
Jane Ewins, a sister of Peter, m. Lieut. James Rogers (see Rogers family). 

George B. Field, son of Otis Field of Lempster, came to Acworth about 
1844, m. Martha J. McDufiQe (see McDuflSe family)— ch., I., Freddie E. 

JosEPU Finlay came from the north of Ireland to Londonderry, N. H., 
and commanded a volunteer company in the war of the Revolution. In 
October, 1777, he marched his company to the support of the Continental 
army at Saratoga. He m. first Mrs. Jane Taylor of Londonderry, N. H., 



riNLAY. 215 

and by her bad 3 cb., Hugb, Samuel, and Robert; tbe latter d. unm. -wbile 
preparing for tbe ministry ; m. second Mrs. Elizabeth Logan, and bad 2 
ch., Esther, who ra. Jacob Hayward (see Hayward family), and Elizabeth, 
■who m. Joseph 3Iorse of Alstead, N. H. The two oldest sons came to 
Acworth in 1780, their outfit being a pair of oxen and sled, with which they 
brought their provisions, cooking utensils, and other appliances, for frontier 
life — the snow being then so deep and hard, that they were able to drive their 
team across lots and over fences on their journey to their new home. The 
father, mother, and remainder of the family came to Acworth the foUowincr 
month. Samuel was, for many years, an active and eflBcient oJ3Scer in the 
Congregational Church. His grave and serious manner of conducting the 
weekly prayer-meeting in his district will be remembered as long as any sur- 
vive who were accustomed to attend them. Upon occasion, he would give 
medical as well as spiritual advice to his friends and neighbors in need. His 
opinion in legal matters was also much relied upon, and he was often selected 
as executor of wills. In short, his judgment, on all matters with which he 
was cognizant, was much trusted. He m. Hannah Witherspoon of Chester 
— ch., I., Lucy, d. young. II., Jane T., m. Aaron Southard of Haverhill 
(see Southard family). III., Robert, m. first Peggy Wallace (see Wallace 
family) — ch., 1, Hannah, m. Joseph Copeland of Unity (see Copeland fam- 
ily) ; 2, Nancy J., m. Lucius Estabrook of Rockingham, Vt. — ch., (1) 
Harriet, (2) Sarah ; m. second Sally Remington — ch., 3, Harriet, m. Samuel 
Archer — ch., (1) Jane ; 4, John ; 5, Samuel, d. young. IV., David, d. young. 
v., Joseph, d. uQm. VI., John, d. unm. VII., Nancy, m. Hon. Jesse Slader 
(see Slader family). VIII., Fanny, d. unm. IX., Hugh, m. Sabra Cram 
(see Cram family) — ch., 1, Joseph P., d. young; 2, Solon S.,m. Emily W. 
Earle of Providence, R. I.— ch., (1) Henry C, (2) William B., (3) Frank H., 
(4) Jesse; 3, Jesse, d. young; 4, Aaron S., m. Josephine L. Brooks (see 
Brooks family) ; 5, Samuel; 6, Henry H., d. young; 7, George H., d. young; 
8, Sarah J. ; 9, Charles A. X., Jesse, d. unm. XL, Matthew A., d. of spotted 
fever. Hugh, son of Joseph Finlay, ra. Jane Cochran — ch., I., Mary, m. John 
Nelson of Ryegate, Vt. — ch., 1, Mary J., m. John McBride of Iowa — ch., (1) 
Annette; 2, John F., m. Mary G. Gibson — ch, (1) Mariette J., (2) John 
A., (3) Fremont S., (4) Lizzie B., (5) Sarah J., (6) Harry A. (7) Wil- 
liam G. ; 3, Jennette C, m. Rev. J. D. Cunningham of Iowa — ch., (1) Mary, 
d., (2) Samuel, (3) Margaret, (4) John, (5) Lizzie, (6) Fenner, d., (7) 
Beattie, (8) Mitchell, (9) William ; 4, William H., m. Margaret Montieth— 
ch., (1) Annabel M., (2) John W., (3) Orinda J., (4) Mary L., (5) Nettie 
C, (6) Martha A., (7) Laura H., (8) Sophia B., d., (9) Louis, (10) Peter 
A. ; 5, Elizabeth, m. Rev. F. E. King, d.— eh., (1) Mary C, (2) Nelson W., 
(3) Freddie E., (4) John W., (5) Laura A. ; 6, Margaret S., m. Rev. J. M. 
Beattie — ch., (1) Elizabeth A., d., (2) John S., (3) WilHam L. ; 7, James R., 
m. Margaret Nelson ; 8, Agnes D., m. Rev. James Dickson of New York — 
ch., (1) Nelson J. II., Joseph, m. first Ann Morrison — eh., 1, Elizabeth; 



216 GENEALOGY. 

2, Ann J. W. ; m. second Margaret Gibson — ch., 3, William J. ; 4, Mary 
J. ; 5, Margaret A. ; 6, Joseph A., m. Nellie Gibson — ch., (1) Effie. III., 
Betsey, m. William Warner (see Warner family). IV., Samuel, d. 1868; 
he showed his interest in the Congregational Church, of which he was a con- 
sistent member for many years, by a legacy of $1,000; m. Lucinda S. 
Copeland (see Copeland family). V., Sophia, ra. James G. Anderson of 
Ira, Vt. VI., Barnet C, m. Emeline Hay ward (see Hay ward family) — 
ch., 1, Alonzo, d. young; 2, Louisa J., m. G. W. Potter of Ira, Vt. — ch., 
(1) Sarah E., (2) Jennie E. ; 3, Esther A.; 4, Sarah E., d. young; 5, 
Theodore F., d. in the army. 

Asa M. Fisher came from Alstead to Acworth in 1863, m. Marion C. 
Erskine — ch., I., Charles L. II., Herbert L. III., Henry L. (last two 
twins). IV., Viola L. V., Edwin L. VI., Elmer L. VIL, Edwin L. 

Fkancis p. Fletcher, son of Francis P. of Washington, m. Sarah M. 
Eichardson (see Symonds family) — ch., I., Ada P. II., Charles P.. III., 
Freddie, d. young. IV., Clara E. V., Lewis E. 

Timothy Foster, b. 1776., m. Ruth Snow, s. in Acworth in 1797 — ch., 
I., Willard, b. 1799, m. Susan Metcalf, residence Marlow — ch., 1, Maria, m. 
John Hardy (see Hardy family). II., Wilder, m. Hortensia Bowen, resi- 
dence Putney, Vt. — ch., 1, Mary. III., Fannie, m. Joseph Babbs — ch., 
1., Maria, residence Marlow. IV., Phila, m. Jacob Wright, (III. and IV. 
twins), v., Jacob, m. Almira Farr, residence Marlow — ch., 1, Ovid, m. 
Lydia Willey, residence Claremont — ch., (1) Addison M., (2) Carrie I.; 
2, Polly, m. Jonas W. Fletcher— ch., (1) Addie A. ; 3, Jacob R. ; 4, 
Augusta, d. young; 5, Hattie F. ; 6, Ellen M., d. young; 7, Addie L., d. 
young. VI., Harvey, m. Clarissa Woolcot, residence Walpole. VIL, 
Lucinda, m. Jacob Richardson (see Richardson family). VIIL, Lucretia, 
m. Luman Smith, residence Marlow. 

Isaac Foster, b. at Billerica, Mass., 1746, m. Lydia T. Bacon in 1769, 
who was b. at Bedford, Mass., 1747, s. in Acworth 1780, d. 1803— ch., I., 
Isaac, b. 1770, m. Lydia Whitney (see Whitney family), d. at Mooretown, 
Vt. II., Lydia, m. Retire Trask (see Trask family). III., Josiah, d. 
1840 in Berlin, Vt. IV., Sarah, m. Mazelda Keyes (see Keyes family). 
v., William B., d. unm. at Mooretown. VI., Ira, the first of these children 
b. in Acworth, d. in Michigan 1864. VIL, Abigail, d. 1807. VIIL, 

Samuel, m. Spafford, d. in Jafirey, 1863. IX., Dan, m. Rachel 

Blood (see Blood family) — ch., 1, Samuel B. ; 2, Evalina. X., Alice, m. 
Thomas Wilson of Peterboro. Isaac, m. second Mrs. Mary Breed. 

Newton Gage m. first Harriet Campbell (see Campbell family) — ch., I., 
Edwin G.; m. second the daughter of Rev. S. S. Arnold, rem. to Weathers- 
field, Vt. 

Walker Gassett m. Betsey Hall, daughter of Mrs. Susanna Hall. Of his 
large family of ch., Joel, Walker, John, George, and Manly W. lived in 
town. Joel m. Mrs. Lucena (Barnard) Angier (see Barnard family). 








y^-^yi-?-2-<f-'7.-£^C 




GATES— GEORGE. 217 

Walker rn. first Sarah T. Morse — ch., I., Lizzie; m. second Mrs. Nathaniel 
Merrill (see Merrill family). Manly W., tn. Josephine Merrill (see Merrill 
family). John m. Deborah. 

Isaac Gates was of the third gen. in this country, s. in Acworth in 1781, 
the first settler on Grates' Hill, ra. Mary Wheelock — ch., I., Polly, m. Aaron 
Brown (see Aaron Brown family). II., Isaac, residence in Acworth until 
1823, rem. to Windsor, m. first Sally Evans — ch., 1, Sally, m. Aaron Fos- 
ter of Putney ; 2, Polly, m. David Babbitt of Londonderry, Vt. ; • 3, 
Nathaniel; 4, Electa, m. Alvah Gee of Marlow ; 5, Abigail; 6, Patty; 
m. second Hannah Kendall — ch., 7, Betsey, m. John Clark (see George Clark 
family) ; 8, Stephen K., ni. Sarah Haile ; 9, Reuben ; 10, Lovinia ; 11, Isaac. 
III., Thomas, m. Patty Plumley, s. in Acworth, afterwards rem. to St, Johns- 
bury — ch., 1, Luciuda; 2, Sally; 3, John; 4, Betsey; 5, Thomas; 6, Cyn- 
thia; 7, Jacob. IV., Benjamin, m. Patty Stevens (see Stevens family), 
residence Windham — ch., 1, Enoch, d. young; 2, Elsie; 3, Benjamin; 4, 
Hannah; 5, Elvira. V., Betsey, m. Isaac Gates of Windsor. VI., Jacob, 
ni. Polly Foster, residence Walpole — ch., 1, Heman, m. Sukey S. Hall; 2, 
Benjamin, m. Adeline Snow — ch., (1) Sarah, (2) Harriet, (3) Jacob, d. 
young, (4) Edward, d. young, (5) Nancy, d. young, (6) Augusta, d. young, 
(7) Charles, (8) Ella. VII., Reuben, ra. first Rebecca Grout (see Grout 
family) — ch., 1, Isaac, m. Esther De Gulier, and left four children; ra. second 
Hannah Hall — ch., 2, Mary H., ra. Joseph Allan (see Allan family); Reu- 
ben was drowned in Stone Pond, Marlow. VIII., Sally. IX., Willis, m. 
Elmira Hulet, residence Elizabeth, N. Y. — ch., 1, Mary; 2, Reuben ; 3, 
Hannah; 4, Irving; 5, Edson ; 6, Celintha ; 7, Mason; 8, Willis; 9, Al- 
mira; 10, Chester; 11, Oscar; 12, Francis; 13, Albert; 14, Silas. 

Abnee Gay, native of Dedham, Mass., d. in Acworth in 1858, aged 85 
years, m. Amy Warren — ch., I., Warren. II., Persis, m. Joseph Gleason 
(see Silas Gleason family). III., Hannah. IV., John. V., Elizabeth 
B., m. Henry Goold (see Goold family). VI., Daniel, m. Mary A. Sy- 
monds (see Symonds family), s. in Acworth in 1831 — ch., 1, John P., m. 
Lois M. Scripture ; 2, Sarah A., m. George A. Flsk of Wilton — ch., (1) Carrie 
M., (2) Arthur G.; 3, Martin D., m. Nellie Collins, residence ^larlboro; 4, 
Austin T. ; 5, Flora E. ; 6, Charlie E. VII., Abner, s. in Acworth in 
1832, rem. to Boston, and now resides in Providence, m. S. A. Smith — ch., 
1, Abner S. ; 2, Charles P. ; 3, Frederic A. ; 4, Jaraes B. ; 5, Emma F. ; 
6, William H. VIII., Ann. IX., Nancy. X., Julia, m. Moses Clark 
(see John Clark family). XL, Sarah. XII., Martha J. 

Ezra George, one of the first settlers on Gates' Hill, was of the third 
gen. in this country — grandfather Peter of Amesbury, Mass., and father 
Joseph. Ezra s. in Acworth in 1790, m. Abigail Gove — ^ch., I., Sally, m. 
Frederic T. Miller. II., Nathan, m. Lucy Mather — ch., 1, Rosilla, m. 
Thomas G. Newgent ; 2, Franklin, m. Mary E. Jenison ; 3, Orzias ; 4, 
Alanson, m. Francina Thompson; 5, Josephine. III., Enoch, ra. Sarah C. 
28 



218 GENEALOGY. 

Cilly — ch., 1, Joseph, m. Anna Woods; 2, Nathan, d. young; 3, Nancy M., m. 
John W. Moore; 4, Asa M., m. Jennie E. Tandy — ch., (1) Isola ; 5, Lu- 
ciada, d. young; 6, Henry N., d. in the army. IV., Roswell, m. Julia 
Cram — ch., 1, Shepard, d. young; 2, Juliett, d. young; 3, Clarinda, m. 
Henry Ingram ; 4, Elizabeth, d. uum. ; 5, Sumner, d. young ; 6, Daniel, m. 
Sarah Russell; 7, Ella; 8, Emma, d. young; 9, Adelaide; 10, Louisa, d. 
young; 11, Edward; Roswell m. second Melissa A. P. Woodbury (see 
Woodbury family) — ch., 12, Edwin A. V., Sophia, m. Nelson Kidder. 
VI,, Clarissa, m. Gardner Huntley. VII., Ezra, d. unm. VIII., Charles, 
m. Louisa Hay ward (see Hayward family) — ch., 1, Emily, m. Willard Tinker 
(see Tinker family) ; 2, Jennitt, m. J. Leavitt McKeen (see McKeen fam- 
ily) ; 3, Dean, m. Rosette Richardson. 

Gawin Gilmore was of the third gen. fi'om Robert Gilmore, who came 
from Coleraine, Ireland, with his wife, Mary Ann Kennedy, and s. in Lon- 
donderry, N. H., in the early days of that town. Robert Gilmore had four 
sons, William, Robert, John, and James. William had four ch., Robert, 
Mary, James, and Anne. Robert, by his first wife, Anne, had James and 
Elizabeth ; by his second wife, John and Rodger, who lived in Jaffrey, 
N. H., William, Mariam, and Jemima. John d. unm. James m. Jean 
Baptiste, and had first John, who lived in Rockingham, Vt. ; second, Jona- 
than, who lived in Ira, Vt., and had several sons, of whom James, Robert, 
William, and Jonathan rem. to Ohio ; third, James, who resided in Wind- 
ham, N. H. ; was a Captain in the war of the Revolution, afterwards 
Colonel ; was the father of James, John, Baptist, Nancy (Nesmith), Robert, 
Gawin, Margaret (see George Clark family), Anna (see James Dickey 
2d family), Ruth (see Duncan family), Jonathan, who d. in Charlestown, 
Jenny (Caldwell), who lived in Nottingham, and Betsey and Polly, who d. 
unm. ; fourth, Jane, m. Robert Pattison of Saco, Me. ; fifth, Margaret, who 
m. Geoi'ge Pattison of Coleraine, Mass. ; sixth, Elizabeth, m. Samuel Wil- 
son of Londonderry; seventh, Agnes, m. Benjamin Nesmith; eighth, Mary 
Ann, m. John Bell, Esq., of Londonderry. Gawin was a blacksmith, s. in 
Acworth in 1790; was also a trader from 1815 to 1828 ; was chosen State 
Senator in 1823 and 1824; was the first High Sheriff" of Sullivan County, 
from 1827 to 1837 ; an Elector of President and Vice-President in 183G, 
and a Justice of the Peace fi'oni 1805 to the time of his death, 1841 ; m. 
first Sally Grout (see Grout family) — ch., I., Leonard, residence Claremont, 
m. Sarah M. Grannis, daughter of Timothy Grannis, Esq., of C. — ch., 1, 
Charles; 2, Homer G. ; 3, Leonard, 4, Sarah; 5, Annis ; 6, Timothy G. ; 
7, Gawin. II., Hiram, m. Mindwell McClure (see McClure family,) d. in 
Montreal in 1862 — ch., 1, Sally A. ; 2, Gawin ; 3, twins, Robert and Mar- 
tha ; 4, Mary L. ; 5, Charles H. III., Laura, m. Hock Hills, residence 
Fox Lake, Wis. — ch., 1., George; 2, Charles; 3, John ; 4, Henry. IV., 
Granville. V., Betsey, m. first Alexander Graham (see Graham family) ; 
m. second Simeon Stevens of Newbury. Gawin, m. second Anna Stebbins 



GILMORE — GOVE. 219 

of Saybrook, Ct. — eh„ VI., Sally A., m. Nathaniel G. Davis of Rutland, 
Mass., residence Reading, Mass. — ch., 1, Amelia E. ; 2, Clarissa; 3, Juliette; 
4, Charles G; 5. Sarah; 6, Emma; 7, William E. VII., Caltha, m. J. H.- 
-vDickey (see Dickey family). VIII., Nancy, m. Elisha A. Parks (see Parks 
family). Robert Gilmore, brother of Gawin, s. in Acworth 1791, m. 
Jenny Houston (see Houston family) — ch., I., Nancy, d. unm. II., Hor- 
ace, m. Pamelia Cooke, residence Watertown, N. Y. — ch., 1, George A.; 2, 
twins, Orville and Oramel; 3, James E. ; 4, Martha J. ; 5, Sarah A. ; 6, 
Robert A.; five of these now reside in Watertown and vicinity. III., Cyrus, 
d. young. IV., Cyrus, d. young. V., Alexander H., residence Fairlee, 
Vt. ; has been Judge of Probate, and has held many other public offices in 
that district; m. Mary M. Childs — ch., 1, Letitia J.; 2, Spencer C. ; 3, 
Edwin A. ; 4, James W., residence Manistre, Mich. ; 5, W. Harrison ; 6, 
Mary A. ; 7, Pamelia C. ; 8, Cathie J. VI., Jane, d. unm. VII., Ann, d. 
unm. VIII., Sarah, G., m. Stevens Chandler, residence Orford — ch., 1, David 
W. ; 2, Laura Anna; 3, Amelia S. ; 4, Robert G. IX., Robert H,, d. unm. 

Henry P. Gleason, native of Worcester, Mass., s. in Acworth 1851, m. 
Roxilla Silsby (see Silsby family) — ch., I., Robert D., residence Winchen. 
don, Mass. II., Mary, m. Alonzo Mathewson (see Mathewson family). 
III., Charles H., ra. Jennie Streeter, residence Winchendon, Mass. — ch., 1, 
Gratia Louise. IV., Freddie F. 

Silas Gleason, native of Marlborough, Mass., s. in Acworth 1798. m. 
Elizabeth Howe (a relative of the Howe family) — ch., I., Dorothy, d. unm. 
II., Elizabeth, m. Stephen Himes (see Hiraes family). III., Jerry, m. Mrs. 
Patty Shedd, residence Washington — ch., 1, Silas P.; I, Martha. IV., 
Susanna, m. David Gould of Chelsea, Mass. V., Louisa, d. young. VI., 
Joseph, m. Persis Gay (see Gay family) — ch., 1, Persis E , m. Rufus Carey 
(see Carey family) ; 2, Lucinda B. ; 3, Juliette, m. Calvin D. Peck ; 4, 
Nedom A. , 5, Parthena A., m. Julius R. Crossett. VII., Gilbert H., m 
Jane Metcalf, rem. to Boston — ch., 1, Wm. Henry; 2, Charles S. VIII., 
Mindwell, became a teacher in Illinois, d. unm. IX., Silas A., d. unm. 
X., Linda, d. young. 

Henry Goold, native of Lebanon, s. in Acworth 1833, m. first Elizabeth 
G. Gay — ch., I., Charles H., m. Annette A. Grout (see Grout family) — ch., 
1, Hattie E., rem. to Michigan; m. second Emeline Davis in 1848 (see 0. 
Davis family) — ch., II., Emma L. III., Lillian V. IV., Albina A. 
Frederic Goold, brother of Henry, came to Acworth in 1844. 

Marquis D. Gould m. Betsey Colby of Warner, s. in Acworth — ch., I., 
Luena C, d. young. II., Luena C. III., Freddie L. IV., Frank J. 

Jonathan, John M., Samuel, Squiers, Polly, and Sarah Gove, ch. of 
Elijah Gove of Weare, s. in Acworth. Their grandfather's name was Jona- 
than, and their great-grandfather is supposed to have been Jonathan, brother 
of Edward, member of the General Assembly of the Province of New Hamp- 
shire, imprisoned in the tower of London fur three years, for heading an 



220 GENEALOGY. 

attempted revolution against the arbitrary proccerlings ef Gov. Cranfield in 
1682. Polly m. Moses Barnard (see Barnard family). Sarah m. Hilliard 
Cram (see Cram family). Samtjkl s. in Acworth about 1800, m. Delia 
Welsh ; only his oldest ch. Nancy is a native of Acworth ; she m. Parker 
Boynton, residence Weare — ch., 1, Frank P. Squiers s. in Acworth about 
1810 ; remained but a few years. Jonathan s. in Acworth in 1808 ; was 
widely known on account of the many public offices which he held, and also 
on account of his services being much required as a skillful and accurate land 
surveyor. He was elected Treasurer of the county of Cheshire, when Sul- 
livan County was part of it ; was chosen several times Kepresentative to the 
Leo-islature, and twice a member of the Governor's Council. His natural 
abilities were of a superior order ; and on account of his sterling common 
sense, affability, and genial nature, he was very popular in all public stations; 
m. first Polly Fisher — ch., I., Emeline, d. young. II., Lucy Ann, m. J. 
W. Morse of Weare— ch., 1, John G. ; 2, Charles M. ; 3, Mary E., resi- 
dence Bradford. III., Oliver, m. Eliza M. Straw, residence Unity — ch., 1, 
Henry A, d. young; 2, Sarah J. IV., Polly E., m. Hiram Blanchard (see 
Blanchard family). Jonathan m. second P]unice Bingham — ch., V., James, 
d. young. VI., Jonathan S., m. Mary A. Nichols, residence Boston — ch., 

1, William S. ; 2, Cora E., d. young; 3, Edward N. ; 4, son, d. young. 
A^II., James B., m. Elizabeth H. Connor, residence Henniker — ch., 1, Helen 
E. ; 2, Charles F., d. young; 3, Lizzie E. VIII., Charles C, m. Mary E. 

Barnes, residence Jersey City — ch., 1., , d. young; 2, Charlie B. ; 

8, Arthur L. ; 4, Frederic W. ; 5, Mary G.— all dead. IX., Eliza M., m. 
Georo-e Hilliard of Peterboro, Province of Ontario — ch., 1, Adelaide E. ; 

2, George G. ; 3, Charles S. ; 4, Clara, d. young; 5, Wm. Franklin ; 6, 
Lillie, d. young. X., Henry, d. young. John M., s. in Acworth in 1809, 
m. Anna Montgomery (see Montgomery family) — ch., I., Johial, d. young. 
II., Vienna, m. Leonard Bowles — ch., 1, Alman, d. leaving two ch., (1) 
Fred, (2) Frank ; 2, Phebe A., m. E. C. Knight of Lisbon — ch., three; 3, 
Jonathan ; 4, Vienna ; there were three other children of Mrs. Bowles who 
d. young. III., Laura, m. Joseph L. Taylor — ch., 1, Angeline, m. Asa 
Sanborn, residence Wisconsin — ch., (1) Charles, (2) Brighani; 2, Brigham ; 

3, Charles; 4, Marietta; 5, Timothy, m. Addie Kendall; 6, Augusta, m, 

Joseph of Salem, Mass.; 7, Betsey A. ; 8, Ira; 9, Lovell ; 10, 

Anna; 11, John; 12, Elijah. IV., John T., m. first Augusta A. F. Downs; 
m. second Betsy C. Richardson — ch., 1, Charles, d. unm ; 2, J. Mills, and 
two daughters, d. young. V., Elijah B., m. Mary Wilson — ch., 1, Francis 
M. ; 2, Edward W. VL, Ira S. M., m. Mary A. Mussey— ch., 1, Fred 
H. ; 2, Minnie ; he has been Registrar of Deeds and Deputy Sheriff in 
Coos County. VII., Hannah P., m. Joel McGregory — ch., 1, Anna E, m. 
Joel M. Sartwell ; 2, George G. ; 3, Charles I. ; 4, John L. ; 5, Joel M. ; 
6, Stella. VIII., George S., ni. IMaria P. Clark (see George Clark family) 
— ch., 1, DoUe E.,d. young; 2, Anna M. George S. studied medicine 



GOWEN— GRAVES. " 221 

with Drs. Albert Winch and J. L. Fulsom ; graduated at Dartmouth 
Medical College in 1858; is now practicing at Whitefield. IX., Cliarles P., 
d. young. 

George "M. Gowen, native of Franklin, Mass., m. Hannah Chase, s. in 
Acworth in 1845 — ch., I., George M., m. Mary F. Looniis — ch., 1, William 
L. ; 2, George A. II., Harriet A. III., Charles R. IV., Lydia A. V., 
Emily A. VI. and VII. (twins), Frank and Frances. 

James Gowing, the grandson of James of Jafi'rey, and son of Benjamin 
of Rockingham, Vt., s. in Acworth, and afterwards rem. to New York, m. 
Susan Hayward — ch., I., Esther E., m. Homer Murdough (see Murdough 
family), residence New York. II., Betsey, m. Levi Marsh — ch., 1, Jennie. 
III., Alonzo, d. IV., Joseph, d. Jeiiial Gowing, brother of James, s. 
in Acworth in 1841, now resides in Chester, Vt, m. Arvilla Gowing — ch., 
I., Ann, m. Trueman H. Richardson (see Richardson family). II., Cyrus H., 
d. young. Levi Gowing was also grandson of James, and son of Levi of 
Springfield, Vt., m. Mary Emery, s. in Acworth in 1841, now resides in 
Ascutneyville, Vt. — ch., I., Elvira, m. Daniel March (see March family). 
II., Norman, d. in military hospital at Burlington, Vt. III., Amanda, m. 
Philo F. Brackett, d. in Wisconsin. IV., Mary J., m. Frank Clark, resi- 
dence in Rockingham. V., Charles. 

Sally Davis, daughter of Asa Davis of Rutland, Mass., widow of William 
Graham, and sister of Mrs. Nathaniel Grout and Mrs. Flag Moore, came to 
Acworth with her children about 1814 — ch., I., William, m. first Mary 
Church, never came to Acworth — ch., 1, Lydia A., m. Harvey Evans of South 
Roylston, Mass.— ch., (1) William H., (2) Edward H.; 2, Mary F., m. Still- 
man Segar; 3, William, m. second Nancy Miller — ch., 4, George M. ; 5, 
Walter ; 6, Harlan. II., Dolly, d. young. III., Alexander, m. Betsey Gil- 
more (see Gilmore family) — ch., 1, Sally A., m, John McConnon, residence 
Monticello, Iowa — ch., ( 1 ) Willie, (2) Anna, (3) John ; 2, Betsey, m. first Hol- 
lister Archer — ch., (1) Helen ; m. second Mason M. Woodbury (see Woodbury 
family); 3, William G., d. young; 4, John G., m. Lorette E. Barnard (see 
Barnard family) ; 5, Alexander G., m. Lizzie R. Neal (see Neal family) — 
ch., (1) Solon F. IV., Davis A., ni. first Cathai-ine Barnes of Keesville, 
N. Y. — ch., 1, Lyman B., m. Jennie Bancroft — ch., (1) Carrie, (2) Mary; 
Davis A. m. second Mrs. Aurilla Munn — ch., 2, William A., m. Dencie 
Pratt; 3, Charles E., d. unm. ; 4, Elwin ; Davis A. m. third Mrs. Ruth 
Emerson, residence West Stewartstown. V., IMary, m. Dr. Lyman Brooks 
(sec Brooks family). VI., John, m. Lydia Stone, residence Ludlow — ch., 1, 
Pamelia, d. unm. VII., Pamelia, m. Chapin K. Brooks (see Brooks family). 
Mrs. Sally Grauam m. second Joseph Currier of Langdon — ch., VIII., 
Louisa, m. Charles M. Woodbury (see Woodbury fiimily). 

William Graves, son of John Graves, was b. in Kensington in 1766, m. 
Susanna Blake, b. in Hampton Falls in 17G2, s. in Acworth in 1796, d. in 
1837 — ch., I., Simon, b. 1788, m. Hannah Sanborn, rem. to Andover — ch., 



222 GENEALOGY. 

1, Susan; 2, Harrison; 3, Jane; 4, Milton; 5, Hannali; 6, Marcia; 7, 
Melissa. II., William, rem. to Andover, m. first Abigail Tudor ; m. second 
Elzira Ellis ; m. third Mrs. Mcbitable B. Weare. III., Samuel, d. unm. at 
Portsmouth, in United States service in 1814. IV., John, was a soldier in 
the war of 1812, was in the battle of Plattsburg, rem. to St. Johnsbury, Vt., 
in 1827, afterwards to Marshfield, m. Betsey Cilley — ch., 1, Samuel, b. in 
Acworth in 1820 ; apprenticed to E. and T. Fairbanks of St. Johnsbury ; 
by them allowed to attend the Lyndon Academy two terms, which so inspired 
in him a desire for a liberal education, that he sought and obtained permission 
of his parents, and the firm of the Fairbanks', to enter upon a course of study. 
At the age of nineteen, he entered Madison University ; graduated from a 
full course of literary and theological instruction in 1846. While in the 
theological seminary, was instructor of Greek in college, and, after graduating, 
was tutor of mathematics in college ; was ordained pastor of the Baptist 
Church in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1849, where he preached three years, the 
church increasing in numbers from 67 to 216; was appointed professor in 
Kalamazoo College, and afterwards professor of systematic theology in the 
theological seminary connected with the college, where he remained eight 
years laboring earnestly and successfully. In 1859, received a call from the 
Central Baptist Church in Norwich, Conn., where he still labors. He is the 
author of three published sermons and two addresses, and is an occasional 
contributor to the Quarterly Review, and has received a doctorate of divinity ; 
m. Mary W. Baldwin— ch., (1) Lidie B., (2) Mary L., (3) Schuyler C, (4) 
William L. ; 2, Polly, m. Hazen Underbill; 3, Abigail, m. Amos Camp, 
rem. to Hanover — ch., (1) Melvina, (2) Emily, (3) Frank B., was a soldier 
in the late war, wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, (4) Eunice ; 4, William, 
rem. to Mansfield, Mass., m. Eunice Billings — ch., two sons, d. young, (3) 
Ella; 5, Jonathan, m. Harriet Gitchell — ch., nine, of which four are living; 
6, Myron, rem. to Holland, Vt., m. Sylvia Gove — ch., six; 7, Elizabeth, ra. 
Calvin Lewis — ch., ten, of which four are living; 8 and 9 d. young; 10, 
John, was taken prisoner in the late war, and d. of starvation at Anderson- 
ville, m. Emma Tibbetts — ch., three; 11, d. young; 12, Hannah, d. young; 
18, Electa, d. young. V., Henry, m. Lucinda Orcutt (see Orcutt family), 
residence Mooretown, Vt. — ch., 1, Lucinda; 2, Eraeline ; 3, Pamelia ; 4, 
Armina. VL, Nathaniel, d. young. VII., Daniel, m. Polly Allen (see 
Allen family) — ch., 1, Galen, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1854, has 
been engaged in teaching, m. Laura Munson — ch., (1) Laura M. ; 2, Sarah 
C, m. Charles Putnam of Lempster — ch., (1) Cathie A. ; 3, Almira H., m. 
Andrew Cram of Marlow — ch., (1) William; 4, William, a soldier in the 
late war, killed at Petersburg, Va. VIII., Susanna, d. young. IX., Hiram, 
rem. to Bellows Falls, Vt., m. Mary Durgan — ch., 1, Maria, m. Ira Earle; 

2, Mary A. ; 3, Henry, ra. Marsh. X., Franklin, b. 1807, residence 

Marlow, m. Amanda Howard — ch., 1, Frank H. ; 2, Henry, m. Josephine 
Parks — ch., (1) Anna L. ; 3, Alzira, m. Rumsey; 4, Martha A. 



GREELEY— GREGG. 223 

George W. Greeley of Derry s. in Ac worth in 1860, m. Alice P. Alley — 
ch., T., George W. II., Hannah J., m. Rev. J. H. Hillman. IIL, Sarah A. 
IV., Charles T. V., Herbert A. VI., Franklin P., d. young. 

Edwin Green, s. in Acworth in 1845, m. first Eliza A. Chase; m. second 
Anna Milliken of Alstead, 

John Gregg's grandfather, David, b. in Londonderry, Ireland, 1685, was 
the son of John Gregg of the same city ; came with his wife, Mary Evans, 
and his son William, being then eight years of age, in 1722, to Londonderry, 
N. H. William and his wife Elizabeth Kyle had sis sons and three daugh- 
ters. Only two of them resided in Acworth. Mary, the second daughter, 
m. Hugh McKeen (see McKeen family). John m. LydiaMelvin and came 
to Acworth previous to 1796 — ch., I., Betsey, m. David Blanchard (see 
Blanchard family). II., Polly, d. unm. III., John, m. first Hannah Bar- 
nard (see Barnard family), residence Charlestown — ch., 1, Clark; 2, Lydia, 
d. unm. ; 3, Lucinda, d. unra. III., John, m. second Louisa Morrison — 
ch., 4, George. IV., William, m. Emeline Frost, residence Charlestown — 
ch., 1, George, d. young ; 2, Susan ; 3, Mary, d. unm. V., Lydia, d. unm. 
VI., Lucinda, d. unm. VII., Benjamin, m. Cynthia Symonds (see Sy- 
^monds family), residence Bennington, Vt. — ch., 1, James A., m. Charlotte 
Hollister— ch., (1) Fannie, (2) Hattie, (3) Fremont; 2, Sarah A. ; 3, Cyn- 
thia M. ; 4, Almira; 5, Corinda ; tl, George W. ; 7, Louisa. VIII., Har- 
vey, m. Harriet West, d. in Ohio. 

Joseph Gregg, b. in Londonderry, N. H., 1763, s. in Acworth 1790, d. 
1840. His father was James, grandfather John, great-grandfather James, 
who emigrated from Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1718. Joseph m. Sally Eey- 
nolds, who d. 1842 — ch., I., Hannah, m. Ithiel Silsby (see Silsby family). 
II., Jonathan, m. Philinda Edgates — ch., 1, Clarinda ; 2, Mariette ; 3, Bet- 
sey ; 4, Joseph; 5, Chester; 6, Thomas; 7, Caroline. III., Polly, m. 
Aaron Bullard — ch., 1, Sally; 2, Hannan ; 3, Lois, m. George Allen — ch., 
(1) Kate; 4, Eliza; 5, Mary; 6, Jane, m. George Hills— ch., (1) Willie; 
7, Clara ; 8, Ithiel S. IV., Esther, d. unm. V., Sophia, d. young. VI., 
Sarah, d. young. VII., Lucinda, d. young. VIII., Clarinda, m. John S. 
Cram (see Cram family). IX., Eliza, m. Benjamin H. Pearson — ch., 1, 
Watson; 2, Augusta; 3, Charles; 4, Cordelia. X., Daniel, d. young. 
XI., Joseph L., m. Abbie Curtis — ch., 1, Sammie C. ; 2, Sallie R. ; 3, Jo- 
seph d. young. Joseph L., was educated as a civil engineer, in which capac- 
ity he served with ability on the Fitchburg Railroad and on the Northern 
Railroad while they were building. He also once made a survey through 
the forests of Maine, from the Atlantic to the St. Lawrence. For some 
years he was employed on Southern Railroads. He was assassinated at Jack- 
sonville, Florida, in 1859, by a young man who exclaimed, after he had fired 
the fatal shot : " I have shot my best friend." He was respected and be- 
loved by all that knew him. "He was a noble son, a kind and indulgent 
husband and father, and an aftectionate brother." 



224 GENEALOGY. 

Thomas Grieh came from Londonderry to Acworth about 1792, m. Han- 
nah Pierce — ch., I., Jennie. II , John. III., James, residence New York. 
IV., Lima, d. unm. V., Levi. 

Howard Griffin m. Lydia Gould, s. in Acworth 1841, killed in a saw- 
mill near Deacon Ball's — ch., I., Burton. II., Alonzo. 

Daniel Grout's great-grandfather was John Grout of Watertown, Mass. 
His name appears on record in 1640, the first of the name in New England 
history. He was a person of distinction, both civil and military. He was 
once sent by Gov. Winthrop on an embassy to the Indians. A coat of arms 
in possession of the family proves them to be of gentle blood. Daniel's fa- 
ther and grandfather both bore the name of Joseph. He m. Elizabeth Ad- 
ams of Grafton, Mass., and s. in Acworth, 1777, d. in 1809 — ch., I., Dan- 
iel, who was a practising physician in Acworth, died leaving one daughter, 
who m. Dr. Thomas Barrett of Chester, Vt. II., Andrew, b. 1764, m. 
Huldah Keyes (see Keyes family) — ch., 1, Philharma, b. 1789, m. Thomas 
Slader (see Slader family) ; 2, Andrew, d. unm. ; 3, Frederic, m. Marjnda • 
Brown (see Francis Brown family) — ch., (1) Mariette, m. Freeman H. Camp- 
bell (see Campbell family), (2) Frederic A., (3) Nancy Ann ; 4, Huldah, 
m. Joseph Ball (see Ball family) ; 5, Hannah, d. unm. ; 6, Azubah, d. unm.; 

-7, Daniel ; 8, Elizabeth A., m. Joseph Dickey of Ryegate, Vt. (see Dickey 
family) ; 9, John, m. Hannah Allen (see Allen family) — ch., (1) Lauriston, 
b. 1830, m. Angeline Twichel, (2) Milon, m. Emily A. Putnam, (3) Huldah 
E., Bar-Charles Osgood-^'ch., [1] Nellie, (4) Austin, d. in the army, (5) Caltha, 
d. young, (6) Galen A., m.^elen E. Robinson (see Robinson family) — ch., 
[1] Lizzie, [2] Angie, (7) Harrison E., d. in the army, (8) Harriet E., m. 
John Bacon of Lexington, Mass., (9) Annette A., m. Charles H. Gould (see 
Gould family), (10) L. Emma ; lH, Sally, m. Joseph Dickey* (see Dickey 
family) ; 11, William R., m. Nancy J. Hayward (see Hayward family) res- 
idence Springfield, Vt.— ch., (1) Nathaniel, (2) William A. ; 12, Patty W., 
d. young; 13, Linda, m. Albert Pearson (see Pearson family). III., Eliz- 
abeth, m. Thomas Dedge (see Dodge family). IV., Polly, m. Amos Keyes 
(see Keyes family). V., Lucy, m. Edward Slader (see Slader family). VI., 
Alexander, for many years a deacon in the Congregational Church, after- 
wards rem. to Springfield, Vt. He was a quiet, unassuming man, but was 
a faithful and exemplary officer in the church, and was much respected ; m. 
Esther Fisher, sister of Mrs. Lemuel Lincoln — ch., 1, Theda, m. Rev. Ju- 
bilee Wellman (see Wellman family); 2, Sophia, m. James A. Grimes; 3^ 

■^Alexander, m. 'IMargaret Dickey (see Dickey family), residence Claremont ; 
4, Samuel H., d. young; 5, Daniel, m. Esther Spencer; 6, Nancy. VII., 
Nathaniel, m. first Lucinda Slader (see Slader family), m. second 31ary Da- 
vis, sister of Mrs. Sally Graham, and Mrs. Flagg Moore. He was for more 
than forty years engaged in mercantile business in Acworth, and thus lived 
prominently before the public. In his funeral sermon it was said that he " sus- 
tained a character for uniform and strict veracity, and for uprightness and in- 



y 




Ly 



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GROUT— HARDING. 225 

teority in all his dealings. He possessed a large degree of public spirit and 
benevolence, and by his candor and unassuming deportment, and uniform and 
unaiFected kindness, he secured the universal esteem and respect of the com- 
munity." He left a legacy of one thousand dollars to the Congregational So- 
ciety. VIII., Sally, m. Gawen Gilmore Esq. (see Gilmore family). IX., 
John, m. Hannah Stebbins (see Stebbins family) — ch., 1, Solon, m. Kebecca 
A. Knickerbocker — ch., (I) John K., (2) Hammond, (3) Caroline F., (4) 
Mary L., (5) Charles P., 2, John H., a portrait painter, Hoosick Falls, N. Y., 
3, May L.,m. Henry C. Hutchins, a lawyer in Boston — ch., (1) Harvey G., 
(2) Edward W. X., Mindwell, m. Elisha Parks (see Parks family). XI. 
Martha, m. James M. Warner (see Warner family). XII., Linda, m. first 
Bczaleel Beckwith (see Beckwith family), m. second Isaac Prouty of Royal- 
ston. XIII., Leonard, d. young. Daniel Grout's posterity have more 
generally resided in town than any other family. They have therefore ex- 
erted a wide influence, and very uniformly on the right side. Daniel him- 
self, his son Alexander, his grandson John, and his son-in-law Edward Sla- 
der, have all served as deacons in the Congregational Church. 

William Grout, the son of Joseph, who was brother of Daniel, enlisted 
in the Revolutionary army before he was eighteen, and was disabled from 
further service in the battle of JMonmouth, s. in Acworth in 1799. Refer- 
ence to the list of town officers will show that he often held public office ; d. 
in Rushford, N. Y., 1836, ra. first Rebecca Woodbury (see Woodbury family) 
— ch., I., Hannah, d. young. II., Mindwell, m. John C. McKeen (see 
McKeen family). III., Rebecca, m. Reuben Gates (see Gates family). 
IV., Amy, m. Samuel Herrick, V., William, a physician in North Cam- 
den, Ohio (see Dr. Alvah Cummings' response), m. Minerva Stevens — ch., 
1, Nancy L., m. Harvey Butler — ch., (1) Lois, (2) Maria, (3) Emma; 2, 
Seth ; 3, William H. ; 4, Minerva ; 5, Rebecca ; 6, Amy ; 7, Mary J. 
VI., Hannah. VII., Lucy. Sarah Grout, sister of W^illiam, m. first 
Frederic Keyes (see Keyes family) ; m. second Eusebius Silsby (see Silsby 
family). Col. Ebenezer Grout, brother of William, s. in Acworth in 
1782, d. in 1850, m. Polly Houston, (see Houston family) — ch., I., Benja- 
min, m. Orra Cummings (see Cummings family) ; served as Lieutenant in 
the war of 1812 — ch., 1, Laura R., m. first Lewis B. Tibbetts; m. second 
Rev. Eleazer Smith; 2, Carlos B., m. Elizabeth Johnson; 3, Sarah J., m. 
Lorenzo Coggeshall ; 4, Ebenezer; 5, Alonzo, d. young; 6, Alonzo C. ; 7, 
Sanborn; 8, Fanny; 9, Chauncey L. ; 10, Frank R. II., Nancy, d. young. 
III., Sally, m. Horace Campbell (see Campbell family). IV., Polly, d. 
young, v., Polly, m. Alvah Cummings (see Cummings family). VI., 
Nancy, m. Winslow Allen (see Allen family). VII., Ebenezer, d. young. 
VIII. , Mindwell, d. young. IX., Ebenezer, m. Zama Keyes (see Keyes 
family) — ch., 1, Ebenezer S. ; 2, Carlos L. ; 3, Seth, d. young. X., 
Mindwell. 

Amos Harding came from Alstead to Acworth in 1824, m. Betsey New- 

29 



226 ~ GENEALOGY. 

ton (see Newton family) — ch., I., Sanmel. IT., Amos, m. Lorinrla Silsby, 
d. in tlie army — ch., 1, Herbert N.,; 2, Elmer E. III., Louisa B., d. unm. 
Thomas Hardy of North Brookfield. Mass., m. Hepzibah Eice, s. in Ac- 
•worth about 1802 — cb., I., Dorcas. II., Shadrach. III., Rufus, m. Lucy 
Livermore of Brookfield, Mass. — ch., 1, Samuel; 2, Levi; 3, Anna; 4, 
William. IV., Hepzibah, m. Davidson Barr, residence Stockbridge, N. Y. 
— ch., 1, Ebenezer; 2, Deborah; 3, Persis ; 4, Asaph ; 5, Joseph; 6, 
Thomas; 7, Ann; 8, Sydney ; 9, Hepzibah ; 10, Jane; 11, Davidson. V., 
Timothy. VI., Ezekiel. VII., Candace. VIIL, Eleb, m. Philetta Bul- 
lard of Brookfield, 3Iass. — ch., 1, Caroline, m. Lemuel Miller, residence 
Lempster — ch., (1) Ann J., m. Alford B. Gee of Lyme, Ct., (2) Carrie 
H., (3) William A. ; 2, Hepzibah, m. H. L. Rice, residence Alstead — ch., 

(1) Hellen, (2) Henry L., m. Sophia L. Watts, residence Fitchburg, Mass., 
(3) Willard H. ; 3, John B., m. Hepzibah Peck of Clareraont — ch., (1) 
Calvin E., m. Betsey J. Vincent of Nashua, (2) J. Henry, m. Maria Fos- 
ter (see Foster family), residence Marlow, (3) Lyman B., m. C. Iluldah 
Symonds, residence Coventry, Ky. ; 4, Willard, m. Philena Peck of Clare- 
mont; 5, Thomas A., m. Lois K. Peck of Claremont — ch., (1) Charles A., 

(2) Emma J., (3) Harriet E., (4) Etta L. ; 6, Liberty R., m. Amanda W. 
IMiller of Langdon. IX., Issachar, m. Eunice Farley of New York — ch., 
1, Thomas, m. Sarah Tilton of IMarlow, residence Brooklyn, N. Y. ; 2, Harriet 
W., m. Seneca Sweet, residence Claremont; 3, Mary A., m. Willard Wil- 
son, residence. Alstead ; 4, Dexter, m. Elvira Tarbell, residence Lowell, Mass. 

Jacob Hayward was of the fifth gen. in America: First gen., Thomas, 
emigrated from England to Duxbury, Mass., previous to 1G38; was an orig- 
inal proprietor and early settler of Bridgewater, Mass. Second gen. , Nathaniel, 
m. Hannah, daughter of Dea. John Willis. Third gen., Benjamin, m. Sarah, 
probably daughter of John Aldrich. Fourth gen., Dea. Jacob, m. Martha, 
daughter of Nehemiah Allen. Jacob Hayward, b. in Bridgewater, in 1738, 
m. Joanna Snell, s. in Acworth about 1788, d. in 1816 — ch., I., Joanna, b. 
1763, m. Nathaniel Whitney (see Whitney family). II., Jacob, m. Esther 
Findlay — ch., 1, Betsey, m. Joseph Ball (see Ball family) ; 2, Laura, m. 
John Wilson (see Wilson fiimily) ; 3, Sally, d. young; 4, Hiram, d. young; 
5, Polly C, d. young; 6, Susan, m. James Gowing (see Gowing family) ; 
7, Harvey, d. unm.; 8, Patty, d. young; 9, Emeline, m. Barnet C. Fin- 
lay (see Finlay family) ; 10, Joseph, m. Patty G. Slader (see Slader fam- 
ily) — ch., (1) Hiram N., m. Sarah A. Brooks (see Brooks family), (2) 
Martha A., d. young, (3) Laura A., d. young. (4) Sylvanus A., (5) Charlie 
J., (6) Leavitt F., (7) Lizzie E., (8) Angle M. ; 11, Louisa, ni. first Charles 
George (see George family) ; m. second Ephraim Cummings (see Cummings 
family) ; 12, Nancy J., m. William Grout (see Grout family) ; 13, Fanny 
F., m. Daniel Nye (see Nye family). III., Allen, d. unm. IV., Levi, m. 
Mrs. Elizabeth (Scoville) Silsby (see Silsby family). V., Susan, m. Lewis 
Brigham. VI., John, m. Mary Kemp (see Kemp family) — ch., 1, Allen, 



HAY WARD — HEMPHILL. 227 

m. Lavina Silshy (see Silsliy family), d. in Gilsum in 18G6 — ch., (1) Laura, 
m. Tyler Clark (see William Clark family), (2) Bethiah S., m. Harvey 
Rawson — ch., [1] Adela, [2] George, (3) Allen, m. Hattie Isham — ch., [1] 
Ella, [2] Mary, (4) Nathaniel S., ra. Louisa Collier (see Kemp family) — 
ch., [1] Herbert A., (5) Julia A., d. young, (6) Julia A., m. George P^llis 
— ch., [1] Lora, (7) Josephine, d. young, (8) Francis E., d. unm., (9) 
George D. ; 2, Judith, d. unm.; 3, Joanna, d. young; 4, John S., m. 
first Betsey Ball, sister of Dea. Thomas Ball — ch., (1) Huldah, m. Harvey 
Miller— ch., [1] James, [2] Clara, [3] Thomas, (2) Thomas B., (3) Augusta, 
m. George Heard (see Heard family), (4) Henry M.; 4, John S., m. second 
Betsey Kemp (see Kemp family), d. in 1865 ; 5, Mary, m. Daniel Kemp 
(see Kemp family), d. in 1835; 6, Nehemiah, m. Lucy B. Brown — ch., (1) 
Milton P., studied medicine with Dr. Gardiner S. Brown of Hartford, Ct., 
attending lectures meanwhile at the Boston Medical School and at Philadel- 
phia ; graduated in 185C', practiced at Claremont, and is now practicing at 
Oberlin, Ohio, m. Julia B. Steele — ch., [1] Austin, d. young, [2] Theresa 
E.,'[3] Carrie M., d. 3'oung, [4] Anna L., (2) Emily L., d. unm., (3) 
Sarah E., d. unm., (4) Freeman G., d. young, (5) Junius A., m. Hattie J. 
Alden, d. in 1867, (G) Allen 0., (7) James B., d. unm., (8) Lomenda A., 
d. unm., (9) Austin D., d. young, (10) Georgiana, (11) Anna L., (12) Her- 
bert G., d. young, (13) Hahnneman B. ; 7, Jane C, m. William Ball (see 
Ball family); 8, Martha S., m. Daniel Kemp (see Kemp family) — ch., (1) 
Martha, (2) Milton; 9, Betsey, m. Nehemiah Spaulding — ch., (1) Charlotte, 
(2) Daniel, (3) Mariette, (4) Homer, d. young, (5) Allen, (6) Jane, (7) 
Emma; 10, Laura, killed instantly when young; 11, Charlotte, m. Orin 
Taylor (see Taylor family). VIL, Nehemiah, d. unm. Jacob m. second 
Mrs. Hannah (Miriam) Wilcox of Littleton, Mass.— ch., VIII. , Patty, d. 
young. IX., William, b. 1802, m. Harriet Jackson (see Jackson family) 
— ch., 1, Betsey, b. 1828, m. Zenas S. Mitchell (see Mitchell family) d. 
1852. 2, William L., d. unm. 1856; 3, J. Freeman, m. Jane Brooks 
(see Brooks family), m. second Belle Green ; 4, Harriet, m. Joseph M. 
Wood of Alstead— ch., (1) Alice Mabel; 4, Leavitt, d. 1849; 5, Martha 
A., d. unm. 1859; 6, Mary M., d. 1862; 7, Pamelia A., d. young. 

Henry Heard, Jr., son of Henry Heai-d of Dublin, m. Thankful 0. Grant 
of Alstead, s. in Acworth 1840 — ch., I., George M., m. Augusta C. Hayward. 
II., Emmaroy P. III., Marion L. IV. Lucy J. V., Marcella D. 

Joseph Hemphill was of the third gen. in this country. His grandfather 
Nathaniel b. in Ireland 1700, ra. Mrs. Jameson. Eobert, their third child, 
b. 1732, m. Eleanor Clark (see Clark family). Of their ch., Hannah, b. 
1758, m. James Davidson, the father of Nathaniel (see Davidson family) 
and Joseph, b. in Windham 1770, m. Susanna B. Rogers (see Rogers fam- 
ily) s. in Acworth — ch., I., Aspasio, b. 1797, m. Margaret Sawyer, rem. to 
Sutton — ch , 1, Hannah; 2, Orson; 3, William A. II., Ovid, m. Cynthia 
Barber, rem. to Mich. — ch., 1, Joseph; 2, Marian; 3, Ilezekiah ; 4, Cyu- 



228 GENEALOGY. 

thia; 5, Louisa. III., Orson, d. unm., 1826. IV., John IL, studied 
medicine with Dr. Bliss of Alstead, graduated at Medical school at Wood- 
stock, Vt. ; practiced in Ohio 29 years much respected as a Christian gentle- 
man; m. Marian Gage — ch.,1, Orson ; 2, Joseph J). V., Asenath, ra. Beza- 
leel Fletcher of Lempster — ch., 1, Harriet Sabiua. VI., Joseph, studied 
with Rev. Warren Skinner of Proctorsville, Vt., and preached in the Universa- 
list churches in Ludlow and Saxton's River, Vt., Swansea, N, H., and Orange, 
Mass.; m. Mary A. Cambridge of Saxton's River, Vt. — ch., 1, Mary; 2, 
Joseph; 3, Susanna 0.; 4, Fannie; 5, William. VII., Betsey H., m. Eri 
Garfield of Langdon — ch., 1, Adelaide M. VIII., Calista, m. Gilmaa 
Bond of Proctorsville, Vt. — ch., 1, Sarah. IX., Hannah W., m. Dexter 
Copeland. X., Freeland, m. first Lydia McKeen, 1844 — ch., 1, Kathleen 
M., m. Watson G. Pettengill ; 2, Eugene F. ; 3, Ashton ; 4, Julian A.; 
m. second Henrietta Snow of Wilmington, Vt. — ch., 5, Clarence 0. ; 6, 
Oscar J.-; 7, Minnie J.; 8, Alger E. XL, Erastus, m. Eliza M. Brown 
of Marlow— ch., 1, Madeline H. XII., Sophie H., m. Daniel A. Lillie of 
Bethel, Vt.— ch., 1, Luella E. ; 2, Clinton L. ; 3, Ida. 

Hugh Henry came from Massachusetts to Acworth, and pursued mercan- 
tile business for several years, m. Betsey Dodge (see Dodge family) — ch., 
I., Mary, m. Lyman B. Walker, formerly attorney general of New Hamp- 
shire — ch., 1, Elizabeth, m. Avery — ch., (1) Lyman B. IL, Eliza- 
beth, m. Lawrence Bigelow, residence Ottawa, province of Ontario. III., 
Hugh, m. his cousin, Sarah Henry, and has ten children. 

RuFus HiLLiARD, a native of Cornish, s. in Acworth 1844, m. Martha 
M. McClure (see McClure family)— ch., I., William F. IL, Clara S. 
George W. Hilliard, brother of Rdfus, m. Versalia K. Fletcher, s. in Ac- 
worth — ch., I., Dora J. IL, James B. III., George W. Betsey Hil- 
liard, sister of George and Rufus, m. Adna Keyes (see Keyes family). 

Walter Himes came to Acworth from Ashford, Ct., about 1782, m. Ab- 
igail Scarborough, sister of Mrs. William Keyes — ch., I.,- Joseph. II. , 
Persis, m. Robert Tapling, residence Middlesex, Vt. III., Abigail, ra. 
Ebenezer M. Woodbury (see Henry Woodbury family). IV., Margaret, 
m. Samuel Meade, residence Middlesex. V., Clarissa, m. Benjamin Willey, 
residence Middlesex. VL, Walter. VII., Roxy, d. unm. VIIL, Ste- 
phen S., m. Elizabeth Gleason (see Silas Gleason family). IX., Oliver. 

Benjamin Hobbs came to Acworth previous to 1803, m. Esther Rogers 
(see Rogers family) — ch., I., Nancy. II. , John. III., Albert. 

Parmenter Honey came from New Boston to Acworth in 1815 ; m. 

Hannah ch., I., Ira. IL, Lorenzo P. III., Mary W. IV., 

Sarah. V., Joseph H. VL, Hannah. VII., Mahala. 

Alexander Houston of Londonderry, N. H., b. 1739, m. Agnes Wal- 
lace 1768 (see Robert Wallace family), s. in Acworth, 1775 ; was a deacon 
in the Congregational Church. He was large of stature, moderate in his move- 
ments, amiable in disposition, and upright in his dealings — ch., I., Martha, 




'^-(/T^z^ ''2:^k-^w^^lj^. 



HOUSTON — HOWE. ' 229 

m. Alexander Parker, residence Watertown, N. Y. II.. Samuel, m. Phebe 
Mayo (see Mayo family) — eh., 1, Isaac, m. Theodosia Keyes (see Keyes 
family) residence Utah — ch., (1) Jane, m. Samuel Alexander (see Alexander 
family), (2) Louisa, (3) Sisson C, (4) Enieline, (o) Mindwell; 2, Nancy, 
d. unm. ; 3, Phebe, m. Alvah Alexander (see Alexander family) ; 4, Deb- 
orah, m. J. Lewis Alexander (see Alexander family) ; 5, Alexander, m. Bet- 
sey Parks (see Parks family), residence Iowa — ch,, (1) Adaline, (2) Wat- 
son W., (3) Daniel M. ; 6, Maria, m. Warren Sawyer, residence Starksboro, 
Vt.— ch., (1) Elijah L., (2) Sarah, (3) Maria, (4) Emeline ; 7, Emeline, 
m. William Johnson (see Johnson family). III., Mary, m. Ebenezer 
Grout (see Grout family). IV., Jennie, ra. Robert Gilmore (see Gilmore 
family). V., Alexander, m. Lydia Brooks of Alstead — ch., 1, Nancy, 
residence Gilsum ; 2, Dolly, m. J. H. Cooper — ch., (1) Flora, m. Gardi- 
ner Johnson, (2) John A., m. Laura E. Walker, residence Iowa, (3) 
Sarah, (4) Henry, killed in the battle of Antietam, (5) Dollie, m. Josiah 
Merry, residence Illinois, (6) George H., m. Josie Johnson, residence 
Washington, D. C, (7) Lydia, d., (8) Nancy, m. A. D. Parker, residence 
Shopiere, Wis., (9) Hiram, (10) Solon ; 3, Zoa, m. E. H. Savage (see 
Savage family); 4, Prudence, d. unm. ; 5, Lydia E., d. young ; 6, George, 
m. first Lois A. Brown (see Francis Brown family) ; m. second M. Jane 
Dickey (see Dickey family) — ch., (1) Ellen P., m. G. G. Fox, residence 
Faribault, Minn., (2) Mary E,., (3) Sarah J. ; 7, Hiram, labored on the 
farm until the age of twenty-one, and then entered upon a course of study, 
supporting himself mainly by his own exertions, fitted for college mostly at 
Hancock; graduated at Dartmouth College, 1847, and at Bangor Theolog- 
ical Seminary, 1850 ; settled as pastor of Congregational Church at Orland, 
Me., nine year.s, and over the churches of Stockton and East Searsport, Me., 
eight years, afterwards spent five months in foreign travel, and is now set- 
tled at Deer Isle, Me. ; m. Ellen K. Davis ; 8, Lydia E., m. J. H. Boyn- 
ton (see Boynton family). 

David Hovey of Andover, Mass., m. first Phebe Farnham — ch., I., Da- 
vid. IL, Phebe. III., Sally. IV., Lydia. V. Betsey. VL, Stephen. 
VII., Farnham. VIII., Mary. Betsey and Mary came to Acworth with 
their father in 1800. David m. second Mrs. Ann (Durant) Davidson (see 
Robert Davidson family), m. third Elizabeth Chambers. V., Betsey, m. 
Iddo Church (see Church fomily). VIII., Mary, m. Rufus Bruce, resi- 
dence Wolcott, Vt. — ch., 1, Louisa ; 2, Milton; 3, Ryland. 

Harvey Howard moved from Sutton, Vt., to Acworth about 1845; m. 
first Lima Thayer (see Thayer family) — ch., I., Ellen, m. James G. Fish 
of Peterborough. II., Hermon. Mr. H. m. second Marcia Jones — ch., 
in., Frank C. IV., Abner A. V., Cynthia A. VI., Galen. Vll.. 
Eugene C. VIII., Freddie M. IX., Willie, d. young. 

Asa Howe, rem. from Marlborough, Mass., to Acworth, 1797, m. Lucy 
Haydeu — ch., I. Ephriam, m. Charlotte Pike — ch., 1, Austin, m. first, 



230 GENEALOGY. 

Electa Bingbam, m. second Elizabeth Hamilton — cb., (1) Lucy, ra. Jobn 
Taylor — cb., [1] Edward A.; 2, Lucy, m. William Bates of Gilsum — cb., 
(1) Alpbouso, (2) William, (3) Charlotte, (4) Georgianna; (5) Charles; 3, 
Asbury, m. Diadema Hull (see Hull family) ; 4, Francis, m. Sarah Bates, 
residence Marlow — ch., four; 5, Asa, m. Mrs. Harriet Bignal. IL, 
Asa, m. Ada Keyes, (see Keyes family) — cb., 1, Caroline, m. Henry 
Richardson, residence Corinth, Yt. III., Moses, m. Martha Cunning- 
ham — cb., 1, Martha, m. Alden Evans of Royalston, Vt. — cb., (1) Har- 
vey, (2) Charles, (3) Oscar; 2, Mary, m. James Dyer (see Dyer fam- 
ily) ; 3, Ezra G., ra. Caroline More — cb., (1) Josephine, (2) Mary, resi- 
dence Claremont ; 4, Charles H., d. young; 5, Laura, d. young; G, Alvan, 
m. Carrie Holden, residence Cbarlestown ; 7, Adams, d. young; 8, Milton; 
9, William, m. Marian Alton, Putnam, Ct. ; 10, Reuben, m. Mary E. Whit- 
temore — eh., two. IV., Abigail, m. Samuel Clark (see Clark ftimily). 
v., Lucy, m. Joseph Smith (see Smith family). VI., Joshua H., m. Eliza 
Mason — cb., 1, Harriet; 2, Mary; 3, Orpbab ; 4, Maria. VII., Betsey, 
m. first Henry Lawton of Peterborough — cb., 1, Lucy; 2, Charles, s. in 
Acworth, m. Azubah Smith (see Smith family) ; 3, Henry; m. second Jon- 
athan Clark. VIII., Nathaniel, m. Lydia McClure (see McClure family) 
— ch., 1, Rufus, m. Almira Symonds (see Symonds family) ; 2, Theresa M., 
m. George C. Foster — ch., (1) Bertie, (2) Stella A., 3, Freddie N. IX., 
Horace, m. Judith Woodbury (see Woodbury family) — ch., 1, Samuel A., 
d. young; 2, Joseph W., m. Susie C. Bailey — ch., (1) Edwin A., (2) 
Alvira E., (3) Henry W. ; 3, R. Henry, d. unm. ; 4, Edwin A., d. in army. 
X., Anna, m. Alvan Davidson (see Davidson family). XL, Alonzo, d. young. 

Calvin Howe m. Frances E. Blanchard, daughter of Benjamin Blanch- 
ard, sister of Mrs. Sylvester Huntley and Mrs. Charles Hull ; s. in Acworth 
1865— ch., L, Emma A. IL, Ella, d. young. III., Walter. IV., Willie. 

Albkrt G. Hubbard, a native of Rindge, ra. Lydia J. Richardson, s. in 
Acworth 18G7 — ch., L, Ellen M., m. Charles J. Davis (see Davis family). 
II. , Albert J., d. young. 

Thekon Hull s. in Acworth 1842, m. Fanny M. Way — ch., L, Dia- 
dema, m. Asbury Howe (see Howe family). II., Mahala, m. Charles Clark 
(see Clark family). III., Asa, rem. to Philadelphia, ra. Emma F. Atherton 
— ch., 1, Henrietta; 2, Harriet; 3, Jennie. IV., George A., rem. to Hol- 
lis, m. Martha Nesmith — ch., 1, Jenette ; 2, Harriet; 3, Mary; 4, George. 
v., Charles A., m. Ellen W. Blanchard — cb., 1, Osman E. B, ; 2, Arthur 
C. VI., Albert R., d. unra. in late war. VII., Harriet S., d. unm. 
VIII., Henry W., d. unm. IX., James H. 

Abel Humphrey of Asbford, Ct., s. in Acworth 1786, m. Wad- 
kins, sister of Mrs. Jonas Keyes and Mrs. Charles Mathewson — cb., I., 

Polly, ra. John Bailey (see Bailey family). IL, Bela, m. 

— cb., 1, Patty. III., Manly, m, Irene Leslie. IV., William, m. Rebecca 
Beckwith (see Bcckwith family), residence Sutton, Vt. — ch., 1, Harriet; 2, 



HUNTLEY— JOHNSON. 231 

Hannah ; 3, Hirara ; 4, Philinda ; 5, Sarah ; 6, Electa ; 7, Abel ; 8, Lucy; 
9, Ira; 10, Meribah. 

Elijah Huntley of Marlow, s. in Acworth 1868, m. Martha J. Reed 
(see Amos Reed family) — ch., I., Wesley M. H., Nella. III., Julia A. 

Sylvester Huntley, a native of Marlow, s. in Acworth, 1867, m. first, 
Emily Willis— ch., I., Adelaide, m. John Hildreth— ch., (1) Ida ; (2) Nellie. 
II., Flora, m. Silas Brackett — ch., (1) Adelaide. Mr. H. m. second Lucretia 
Blanchard. 
^ Robert Huntley (see Prentiss family) came from New Boston to Ac- 
worth 1799, m. Eleanor Clark (see Ephraim Clark family) — ch., I., Clark. 

II., Eleanor, m. first Roger Fenton of Marlow — ch., 1, Eleanor, m. 

Beckwith — ch., (1) Lucy, (2) Fred, (3) George. II., Eleanor, m. second 
John Chandler — ch,, 2, Fred V. R., m. Sophia Tuttle. III., I\krgaret. 
IV., Lucinda. V., Clarissa, m. Dana Dodge of Lempster — ch., two. 
VI., Allen m. Olive Goodnow — ch., 1, Henry, m. Abbie Porter — ch., (1) 
Nellie; 2, Frances. VII., Lucy. VIII., Levi, m. Harriet F. Farley — 
ch., 1, William. 

Amos Ingalls, a native of Andover, Mass., rem. from Rindge to Acworth 
1785, m. Mary Holden — ch., I., Jonathan, b. 1787, rem. to New York, m. 
Electa Jewett — ch., 1, Clarissa, m. Walter Rider — ch., four; 2, Eliza, m. 
Henry D. Merritt — ch., two ; 3, Harriet, m. Andrew Stiler — ch., (1) Sarah 

A., m. James Simmons, residence Oswego County, N. Y., (2) ; 4, 

William, d. 1847 ; 5, Lucina, m. Asa Mason — ch., five ; G, Elniira, d. young; 
7, Delia, m. Jared Blodgett — ch., five; (1) Angelia, m. Orville Fairbanks, 
residence Fort Scott, Kansas ; 8, Polly, m. Edmund A. Carpenter — ch., two. 
II., Eunice F., m. Jonathan H. Reed (see Reed family). III., Polly, ni. 
Amos Campbell (see Campl)ell family). IV., Amos, rem. to the West. V., 
Sewall, m. Clarissa Hudson — ch., 1, Jonathan, m. Hannah M. Stearns; 2, 
Milly, d. unm. ; 3, Lucina, m. Harvey D. Wallace (see Wallace family); 4, 
Harriet N., d. young; 5, Amos, d. young; 6, Philinda F., m. first William 
Alexander, m. second Jonathan Blake — ch., (1) William, (2) Emma F., (3) 
Charles A. ; 7, Sylvester, m. Marietta Dean — ch., (1) Josephine A., (2) 
Edgar D. V., Edah, m. Robert Anderson — ch., 1, Solon, m. Sarah Bus- 
well (see Buswell family) — ch., (1) John H. ; 2, Dean ; 3, Cornelia. 

Harriet, Daniel L., Pamelia, and Benjamin F. Jackson, natives of 
Lempster, came to Acworth in 1818. They were children of William and 
Betsey (Nurse) Jackson, daughter of Mrs. Anna (Putnam Nurse) Camp- 
bell. Harriet m. William Hayward (see Hay ward family), Daniel L. 
m. Laurette Knight, residence Danvers, Mass. — ch., I., William L. Pame- 
lia m. Warren Thayer (see Thayer family). Benjamin F. m. first Arvilla 
Hunter — ch., I., Louisa. II., Arvilla. Benjamin F. m. second Adelaide 
Barnes — ch,, III., Harriet. IV. Lincoln, V. Herbert. 

William Johnson, son of Samuel Johnson and Nancy Warner (see War- 
ner family) was brought to Acworth an infant by James M. Warner at the 



232 GENEALOGY. 

dcatli of his mother; m. first Emelino Houston (see Houston family) — ch., 
I., William W., d. young ; m. second Mary L. Silsby (see Silsby foniily). 

Zepiianiah Jounson, native of Weare, rem. first to Unity and then to Ac- 
worth, 1838; m. Ruth Page of Unity — ch., I., Abigail C. II., George. 
III., Myron B. IV., Lucy A., d. young. V., Almira, m. Sumner Taylor 
(see Taylor family). VI., Mary E. VII., Cynthia C. 

Ebeni;zer Jones of Eoyalston, Mass., s. in Acworth 1828 ; m. first Mary 
A. Prouty — ch., I., Martha A. II., Elizabeth. III., William. He now 
resides in Harrisville. 

Benjamin Kemp, son of John, came from Fitchburg to Acworth in 1790 ; 
m. Judith Reed, sister of John Reed — ch., I., Judith, m. John Davidson 
(see Robert Davidson family). II., Benjamin, did not live in Acworth. III., 
John R., did not come to Acworth with his father, m. Hannah W^heeler; of 
his ch., only Benjamin lived in Acworth, m. Nancy Buswell (see Buswell 
family) — ch., (1) John B.,m. Laura Reed (see Reed family) — ch., [1] Ben- 
jamin H., [2] Edwin H., d. young, (2) Orlin R., m. Mary Reed (see gen- 
ealogy of Reed family) — ch., [1] Julietta H., [2] Marietta E., m. Jothara 
S. Topthaker— ch., M. A. Blanche, [3] Viola L., d. 1869, [4] Edith S.. 
[5] Allen E., [6] Etta E., [7] Orlando D., [8] Charlie D., [9] Weston 0., 
(3) J. Harmon, residence Windsor, Vt., m. first Polly Kenny (see John 
Reed fiimily) — ch., [1] Lenora, m. George W. Leighton (see Leighton fam- 
ily), [2] George, d. in army, [3] John, [4] Fred, d. young ; m. second 
Lucia Sturtevant, (4) Joseph A., m. first Amy C. Sisson — ch., [1] Jo- 
sephine A., m. James Pittman, [2] Walter A., [3] Carrie E. He m. sec- 
ond Susan Hyde, residence Boston — ch., (5) Lovina N., m. Hiram K. 
Towle, residence Boston — ch., [1] Matilda A., d. young, [2] Oscar W., 
[3] Clara F., m. George Whitehouse, [4] Albion R., [5] Mary J. 
D., [6] Emerinth L., d. young, [7] Emma L. J., [8] Frank 0., d. 
young, (6) Sally, (7) J. Hayward, m. Melissa E. Flanders, residence Vi- 
enna, N. Y.— ch., [1] Alvin, [2] Volney H., [3] Ella, [4] Esther, [5] 
Frank, d. young, (8) Mary Jane, m. Charles D. Sampson, residence Bos- 
ton— ch., [1] Lovina, [2] Susan 0., [3] Florence J. IV., Martha. V., 
James, d. young. VI., Kezia, d. unm. VII., Polly, m. John Hayward 
(see Hayward family). VITL, Dolly, d. young. IX., Betsey, m. Daniel 
Kemp, residence Vermont. X., Sally, d. young. XL, Aaron, m. first 
Dolly Allen, 1806— ch., 1, Sally A., m. Horace H. Collier— ch., (1) Helen, 
m. John Clark— ch., [1] Mary, d. young, [2] Hiram, [3] Alma, [4] Solon, 
(2) George, m. Mary A. Utton — ch., [1] Carrie, [2] George, (3) Louisa, 
m. first Nathaniel Hayward (see Hayward family), m. second, Edward E. 
Watson, (4) Ann A., (5) Harvey W. ; 2, Abigail L., m. William H. Cooper 
— ch., (1) Abigail, m. Richard Stanwood, (2) Laura, m. George Buswell 
(see Buswell family), (3) Lucinda, m. Hiram Maxham, (4) William A., m. 
Lizzie Hancock, (5) Aaron K., d. in army, (6) S. Eliza J., d., (7) Hattie, 
m. Charles Hoyt, (8) Frances ; 3, Benjamin, d. young : 4, Dolly, m. Charles 



KEMP— KETES. 233 

Haskell — ch., (1) Lucy J., (2) Betsey A., (3) Lonensa, d. young, (4) Pau- 
lina, (5) Charles, d. in army ; 5, Louensa, m. Daniel Frost — ch., (1) Lucre- 
tia A., d, young, (2) Milon W., d. in army, (3) Lorinda, m. William Wes- 
ton — ch., [1] Alice M., (4) Betsey P., m. Henry Maxham, (5) Alvin L. ; 
6, Phineas A., m. Betsey Blanchard (see Blanchard family) — ch., (1) Dean 
G., (2) Solon M., (3) Clara A., (4) Lennette A., (5) Harlan W.; 7, Eliza, 
m. David Frost of Worcester, Vt. ; 8, Aaron, d. unm. ; 9, Lucinda, m. Chaun- 
cey Hunt of Worcester — ch.. (1) Charles, (2) Henrietta J., (3) Henry, (4) 
Chauncey N-, (5) Etta L., (C) George E., (7) Dean G. K., (8) an infant 
daughter; 10, Samuel W., m. Chloe P. Leonard of Worcester — ch., (1) 
Mary E. W. ; 11, an infant son. XL, Aaron, m. second Mrs. Polly (Reed) 
Shedd (see Supply Reed family). XII., Moses, m. Polly Reed (see John 
Heed family), rem. to Langdon — ch., 1, Asenath, m. John Clark (see Wil- 
liam Clark family) ; 2, Patty, m. Oliver Benskooter. XIII. , Jane, m. Eb- 
enezer Buswell (see BusweH family). 

Elisiia Kempton, native of Croydon, came from Newport to Acworth in 
1848 ; m. first Harriet Vickery — ch., I., Eunice S., m. Iluel S. Bascom (see 
Bascom family). II., Elisha M. III., Harriet A. IV., Jonathan. He 
m. second Mrs. Lorinda Barden. 

Robert Kknnedt of Goffstown, s. in Acworth in 18G3 ; m. Judith H. 
Buswell (see Buswell family) — ch., I., Milon 0. II., Jennie A., m. Henry 
F. Burnham, (see Burnham family). III., Cornelia A. IV., Ella L. 

Epiiraim Keyes of Ashford, Ct., m. Sarah Wadkins, sister of Mrs. Sam- 
uel Smith (see Smith family), s. in Acworth 1769, d. aged 89 years — ch., 
I., William, b. in Ashford, Ct., 1740, was the first settler in Acworth; m. 
Hannah Scarborough of Ashford — ch., 1, Huldah, b. 1768, m. Andrew 
Grout (see Grout family) ; 2, Philharma, b. 1769, the first child b. in Ac- 
worth, d. young ; 3, Frederic, b. 1770, m. Rachel Jacobs, residence North- 
umberland, N. Y., d. 1834— eh., (1) William W., 1797. (2) SarauelJ., 
(3) Elizabeth, (4) Charles, (5) Hannah, (6) Archibald, (7) Stephen P., a 
clergyman, (8) Sarah A., (9) Perley G. The number of Frederic Keyes' 
grandchildren is 32; great-grandchildren, 20; 4, Stephen, b. 1772, went 
West, m. Hannah Gregg, had a large family ; o, Perley, b. 1774, m. Lorinda 
White, moved to Watertown, N. Y., became a prominent man in Jeflerson 
County. He successively held the office of Magistrate, Judge of the County 
Court, Sheriff, Collector of Customs at Sackett's Harbor, was twice State 
Senator, and once a member of the Council of Appointment, He wielded 
a strong political influence in Jefferson County, and when in the Legislature 
made his presence felt there. In a letter of Silas Wright, Jr., William L. 
Marcy, and others, to Martin Van Buren in 1830, recommending him for the 
office of Governor of the territory of Wisconsin, they speak of him as a 
"plain, unlearned man, with a sound, strong mind, and in the practical exer- 
cise of an unusual share of common sense." An apoplectic stroke prevented 
his applying for this office. He d. in 1834 — ch., (1) Perley G., who has 
30 



234 GENEALOGY. 

one son, Kichard G., a clergyman, (2) Cynthia, (3) Marictte ; 6, Andrew, 
d. at Holland Purchase; 7, Miriam, b. 1777, m. John Mitchell (see Mitch- 
ell family) ; 8, Ephraira, b. 1781, left a large family; two sons, Daniel A. 
and Elias, reside in Union County, Ohio ; 9, William, d. at Ogdensburg 
in the war of 1812 — ch., (1) Solon; (2) Calista ; 10, Sarah, m. Mr. Burn- 
ham, residence Rutland, N. Y. — ch., (1) Ambrose, (2) Harmon, (3) Sally; 
11, John, b. 1790, ra. first Ann Keyton — ch., (1) Frank, d. young, (2) 
Fielding, m. first Martha Mitchell (see Mitchell family) — ch., [1] JNIathew 
P., m. Ellen Patterson, residence Sharon, Vt. — ch., Fielding, [2] George 
F., d. young, (2) Fielding, m. second Maria S. Whitaker — ch., [3] Martha 
M .,(3) Lauriston, m. first Susannah Burgess, m. second Martha E. Hibbard, 
— ch., [1] William H., [2] John C, [3] M. Ella; (4) Philharma, m. Mr. 
Lothrop, residence West Roxbury, Mass. — ch., [1] John, d. young; (5) 
Nancy F., m. Enos P. Hoag of Lincoln, Vt. — ch., [1] Alonzo, d. young, 
[2] Amelia, m. Mr. Cushman — ch., one, (6) Fanny F., d. of spotted fever 
1814; 11, John, m. second Lucia Hubbard — ch., (7) Frank H., residence 
Webster, Mass., (8) Caroline F., m. Mr. Heywood, residence Concord ; 
11, John, m. third Lucy Thornton. II., John, who gave a part of the com- 
mon to the town, but probably never lived in Acworth. III., Jonas, b. 
1748, rem. from Ashford, Ct., to Acworth with his second wife, Mehitable 
Wadkins, sister of Mrs. Abel Humphrey and Mrs. Charles Mathewson — ch., 
1, Amasa, m. Catha Blood, s. in Unity — ch., (1) Mazelda, (2) Harland, (3) 
Larnard ; 2, Sally, m. Nathan Olcutt, residence Unity — ch., (1) Olive, (2) 
Esther; 3, Mazelda, m. Sarah Foster (see Foster family) — ch., (1) Anson, 
d. young, (2) Theda, m. first Otis Field of Lempster — ch., [1] Sarah L., 

Theda m. second Mclntyre, (3) Mazelda, d. unm., (4) Linda, d. young, 

(5) Lima, m. Nathaniel B. Hull — ch., [1] Orison, [2] Lima, (G) Amasa, d. 
young, (7) Adna, m. Betsey Hilliard (see Hilliard family) — ch., [1] Adson 
D., [2] Sarah J., (8) Ephraim, m. Ruth Clement — ch., [1] Jenette, d. 

young, [2] Jenette, m. Richard Robinson, [3] Sarah J., m. Clement, 

[4] Mary, [5] Ednah, [6] Emma, (9) Orison, m. L. A. McClure, residence 
Lempster (see McClure family) — ch., [1] Anson L., [2] Zenas K.,d. young, 
[3] Annette E., [4] Martin L., [5] Frank E., [6] Charles W., d. young, 
[7] Nellie S., [8] Angle M., [9] Susan B., (10) Zama, m. Ebenezer Grout 
(see Grout family); 4, Anna, m. Rufus Blanchard, (see Blanchard family) ; 
5, Phili, m. John Abbott — ch., (1) Emily, (2) Phili ; 6, Esther, m. John- 
Iluntoon, s. in Unity — ch., (1) Abdolonymus, (2) Ruth-; 7, Rex, m. Ju- 
ditha Keyes (see Edward Keyes family) ; 8, Morses, d. young ; 9, Morses, 
m. Asenath Dickey (see family of James Dickey 3d) — ch., (1) Hannah H., 
m. Dexter Way — ch., [1] Orpha E., ni. Leonard Thompson, [2] Oscar, d. 
in army, (2) Frances J., m. Orrin Wood (see Wood family), (3) Mehitable 
W., m. Olivet S. Carey— ch., [1] Chester E., m. Emily L. Prouty, [2] 
Georgianna, m. Murray Dinsmore, M. D., [3] Frank C, (4) Mercy A., m. 
Albert E. Spauldiug — ch., [1] Ellen M., ni. Harry C. Kimball — ch., Sarah 




-T^^^^i-^^^^^i^-?^^-^ ^^c 



C-^h-l^ 



KEYES— KING. ' 235 

F., Maurice G., (5) Graham, (6) Sumner, (7) Orpha, d. young; 10, Ada, 
m. Asa Howe (see Howe family) ; 11, Lima, m. William Boardman, resi- 
dence Vershire, Vt. ; 12, Eliza, m. Ambrose Alexander (see Alexander fam- 
ily) ; 13, Vine, m. Mary Taylor, residence Unity. IV., Edward, m. Patty 
Sawyer — ch., 1, Perley, residence Jefferson County, N. Y. ; 2, Juditha, m. 
first Rex Keyes, m. second Mr. Barker of Crown Point, N. Y. ; 8, Zela, m. 
Shuali Mason, residence Vermont ; 4, Avis, m. John Ober, residence Crown 
Point, N. Y. ; 5, Luthera, m. Amos Burge, residence Antwerp, N. Y. ; 6, 

Almira, m. Burge ; 7, Edward, m. Elmina Abbott, residence Unity. 

v., Joseph, d. of measles contracted in the Revolutionary army. VI., Han- 
nah, b. 1754, m. Mehuman Stebbins (see Stebbins family). They were the 
first couple married in town. VII., Henry. VIII., Frederic, b. 1758, m. 
Sarah Grout (see Grout family) — ch., 1, Frederic, d. young. IX., Amos, 
b. 1761, m. Polly Grout (see Grout family) — ch., 1, Harry, d. unm. ; 2, 
Amos, d. 1868, m. Jane McClure (see McClure family) — ch., (1) Daniel, 

(2) George, (3) Samuel D. ; 3, Ralph, m. Hannah Wilson, residence Unity 
— ch., (1) Amos, residence Boston, m. Martha Ginn, (2) Hiram, d. unm., 

(3) Laurette, m. Charles Train of Manchester, (4) Dean, m. Sarah , 

residence Boston, (5) Mariette, d. unm., (6) Orson H., residence California, 
(7) Maria, m. Burnham of Hillsboro Bridge, (8) Julia, m. Fred. Lit- 
tle of Antrim, (9) Arthur, residence California, (10) Louisa, m. John Mc- 
Question of Manchester ; 4, Betsey, m. Daniel Warner (see Warner family); 
6, Mary, m. Joseph G. Silsby (see Silsby family) ; 6, Docia, m. Isaac Hous- 
ton (see Houston family). 

Samuel King, Sen., m. Betsey Jones, came from Vernon, Ct., to Acworlh 
before 1808, rem. to Langdon — ch., I., Roxanna, m. Robert Nesmith, resi- 
dence Francestown (see Nesmith family). II., Hezekiah, m. Ann Wallace 
(see Wallace family), rem., to Ohio. III., Nancy, m. Moses Southard (see 
Southard family). IV., Betsey, m. Capt. James Wallace (see Wallace fam- 
ily), v., Polly, m. Abel Baldwin of Langdon. VI., Samuel, m. Sophia 
Egerton of Langdon — ch., 1, Alvah, d. unm.; 2, Mary J., m. John Gar- 
field, s. in Fitchburg, Mass.— ch., (1) Estelle J., (2) Hermon ; 3, Ben- 
jamin S., m. Susan Willard of Langdon — ch., (1) Sumner W., (2) Ella 
A., (3) Emma A., (4) Edward M. ; 4, Samuel A., m. Sarah H. Lane, resi- 
dence Cambridge, Mass. — ch., (1) Stella A., (2) Julia F. ; 5, James E., 
m. Ellen Dinsmore of Alstead, s. in Ottawa, Province of Ontario — ch., (1) 
Emma E., (2) Clara E. ; 6, Henry N., m. Hannah C. Ware of Alstead, 
residence Boston — ch., (1) Walter H., (2) Arthur J.; 7, Eliza A., m. 
Henry Wiley, residence Langdon; 8, John W., m. Pamelia Goodale, resi- 
dence Detroit, Mich., 9, Bathsheba S., m. John F. Dickey (see Dickey 
family); 10, Willard F., m. Mehitable Lewis, residence Marlow — ch., (1) 
Luetta M., (2) Lewis S. ; 11, Solon S., m. first Josephine S. Hillman of 
Alstead, m. second Sarah J. Dickey (see Dickey family)— ch., (1) Sanuiel 
S. ; 12, Emily A., m. Charles A. Holden, residence Langdon — ch., (1) Co- 



236 GENEALOGY. , 

rine E., (2) Charles C. ; 13, Nancy, m. James A. Dickey (see Dickey fam- 
ily) ; 14, Rozene M., d. unm. VII., Clarissa, m. Samuel Egerton of Lang- 
don. VIII., Ira, m. Harriet Wood of Langdon, rem. to Ohio. 

Gkouge Lamb, son of John Lamb and Lucinda Kingsbury of Langdon, 
s. in Acworth, 1867, m. Almira Clark of Charlestown — ch., I., Arthur J. 

Henry Lancaster, the ancestor of the family came from Lancashire, 
England, and settled at Bloody Point, Dover, N. H., in 1631. In 1643, 
he was one of the grand jury from Piscataqua. In 1652, he paid the highest 
tax on the Bloody Point list. In 1654, the town voted him all the mead-, 
ows at Bloody Point, for services rendered the town. He died at the age 
of one hundred years. He was hale, and strong, and might have lived 
many years, but for a fall which occasioned his death. Second gen., Joseph, 

son of Henry, s. in Araesbury, Mass., m. first Mary , — ch., Joseph, 

Mary, and Thomas, who was killed by the Indians in Hampton, 1703 ; Jo- 
seph m. second Hannah , — ch., Samuel, Henry, and Hannah. Third 

gen., Joseph, son of Joseph, Sr., m. Elizabeth Hoyt, 1687 — ch., Mary, 
Hannah, John, Daniel, Abraham, Ann, Micah. Fourth gen., John, son of 
Joseph, Jr., b. 1671, m. Mary Hoyt — ch., Henry, Timothy, Mary, Elizabeth, 
Miriam, Hannah, and Sarah. H. d. 1742. Fifth gen., Henry, son of 
John, b. 1718, m. first Dorothy Harvey, 1742 — ch., John, Judith, Mary, 
Eunice, Moses, Anna, Dorothy, Miri.\m, Joshua, and Ebenezer; m. second 
Judith Hadley, 1764, d. in Salem, 1790. Moses Lancaster, son of Henry, 
b. 1752, m. Ann Duncan, 1780, daughter of William and Jean Duncan, a 
relative ef John Duncan (see Duncan family) who d. in 1804. Her sister 
Rachel Duncan d. in Acworth 1811 — ch., I., Dorothy, m. Adam Duncan 
(see Duncan family). II., William, b. 1784, m. Fannie Davidson (see Da- 
vidson family) rem. to Cuba, N. Y. — ch., 1, Ann; 2, William; 3, Sarah, 
m. Stephen L. Davidson (see Davidson family); 4, Loammi ; 5, Fanny, 
m. Ralph N. Wright— ch., (1) Josephine, (2) William B. ; 6, Thomas, 
m. Mary J. Gurnee ; 7, Corinna m. Morrison Gillett, IHol — ch., (1) 
George M. ; 8, Daniel; 9, Harriet, m. Rev. Albert St. J. Chambre ; 10, 
George, m. Melinda J. Stone, 1864 — ch., (1) Fannie M., d. young, (2) 
Anna Pearle ; 11, Maria. III., Harvey, b. 1789, m. Jennett Moore of 
Peterboro — ch., 1, Moses H. ; 2, Margaret E. ; 3, Ann J., m. Josiah 
y/hite, Jr., of Charlestown — ch., (1) Grace L; Moses m. second Mrs. Sa- 
rah (Barnet) Highlands, d. 1811. Joshua Lancaster, b. 1760, m. Nancy 
Ewens (see Ewens family), d. of the spotted fever at Newport, 1812, while 
on his post route as mail carrier. Ebenezer Lancaster, b. 1761, m. Eliza- 
beth Davidson (see Davidson family), rem. to Acworth 1793 — eh. I., John, 
b. 1793, m. Mary Lemist— ch., 1, Frank E. ; 2, Clara T. ; 3, Edward E. 
II., Lucy. III., Daniel, fitted for College, mostly with Rev. Phineas Cooke; 
graduated at Dartmouth College, 1821, taught an Academic school in tliat 
part of Boscawen now called Webster. Four of his pupils afterwards be- 
came ministers, and one a missionary to India, and six became ministers' 




A-^V^i^V /L^-^'-^^^^l^^ 



J^l^y-U^^^, '3<:iyJc ^t_^^2^^i 



LANCASTEE. 237 

wives. Graduated at Andover Theological Seminary, 1824; licensed to 
preach by Haverhill Association, 1824; ordained pastor of First Church in 
Gilmanton, 1825; 1827 and 1831 were years of special revival there, and 
about eighty were added to the church. In 1832, the church beino- divided 
into different branches, the pastoral relation was dissolved, and he became 
connected with the Center Congregational Church, where in six years one 
hundred and four were received into the church. For twelve years Mr. L. 
was Secretary of the New Hampshire Bible Society; nine years Scribe of 
Deerfield Association ; seven years Secretary of Stafford Conference, six 
years its Moderator ; three years each Secretary of Strafford Bible, Home 
Missionary, and Education Societies ; and nine years Trustee of New 
Hampshire Missionary Society, and Trustee of Gilmanton Academy and The- 
ological Seminary. His labors closed at Gilmanton, 1852. Subsequently 
he was one year Chaplain of New Hampshire Legislature ; three years Chap- 
lain to New Hampshire Insane Asylum ; preached three years at Fishersville, 
and was at the same time Principal of a Young Ladies' School in Concord, 
and had charge of t^ New Hampshire Phenix, a weekly temperance paper ; 
was five years pastor of Congregational Church, Middletown, Orange County, 
New York, from 1855 ; residence now New York city. Published works, 
"History of Gilmanton," "Funeral Sermon of Rev. Dr. Coggswell," &c. ; 
m. first Ann E. Lemist — ch., 1, Mary E. G. ; m. second Eliza G. Greeley — 
ch., 2, Ann E. ; 3, Frances J. ; 4, Daniel E. ; 5 Helen. IV., Cynthia. 
v., Dorothy. VI., Cyrus, b. 1802,' prepared for College at Phillips Acad- 
emy, Andover, Mass.; completed his course at Dartmouth College, 1827; 
became Principal of St. Johnsbury Academy. As an illustration of his 
studious habits in childhood, it is said of him that his Sabbath School teacher 
having heard him repeat verses from the Bible for one whole hour, asked him 
"How much more have you committed?" he replied, "I have repeated 
nearly half." The reward of merit was given him without hearing the re- 
mainder of the lesson. After spending several years at St. Johnsbury and 
at other places in teaching, he was invited by Mr. James Wilson (noticed 
in "Parker's History of Londonderry" as the inventor of Wilson's globes,) 
to assist him in revising and correcting the plates for the revised edition of 
his globes at Albany, N. Y. He continued with Mr. W. until his death, 
and then with a son of Mr. Wilson until his death, upon which he m. his 
widow, Mrs. Rebecca Wilson, and became to his children all that could be 
asked or expected of a devoted father. In 1852, he rem. to Brooklyn, 
N. Y., where he continued the globe business, engaging also in teaching, as 
he had done at Albany. He invented a " self-adjusting switch " for rail- 
roads, also a car ventilator fitted to exclude the dust. Died of diphtheria, 
in Brooklyn, aged sixty years. His standing as a scientific and literary man 
places his name high among the sons of Acworth. His only child, Sarah, 
d. unm. VII., Henry, m. first Mary A. Colby, m. second Louisa M. Kim- 
ball — ch., 1, Charles H., d. young; 2, Anna M., d. young; 3, Charles; 



238 GENEALOGY. 

4, Mary. VIII., Sarali. Miriam, b. 1758, m. first Edmund Blood (see 
Blood family), m. second Fulton of Dunbarton, ■where she died. 

George W. Lathrop, native of Claremont, m. Hannah Littlefield, s. in 
Acworth 1866 — eh., I., Eva L. II., George S., d. unm. III., Abbie H. 
IV., Oscar G. 

Charles Lawton (see Howe family) m. Azubah Smith (see Kimball 
Smith family), s. in Acworth 1850. 

George W. Leighton m. Leonora Kemp (see Kemp family), s. in Ac- 
worth, 1863— ch., I., H. Arthur. 

Lemuel Lincoln, b. in Hingham, Mass., 1767, m. Mehitable Fisher, sis- 
ter of Mrs. Alexander Grout, 1795, s. in Acworth about 1794. He put 
down the first tannery in town, in the corner of lot 12, range 6, in 1794. 
He was upright in his dealings, firm in purpose, shrewd in judgment, and 
genial in disposition — ch., I., Irene, d. unm. II., Charlotte, m. Elijah 
Spaulding of Lempster — ch., 1, Emily I., m. Calvin Wallace (see Wallace 
family) ; 2, Mary, d. unm. III., Nathan, d. unm. IV., Harvey, m. first 
Laura A. Damon, rem. to Boston — eh., 1, Sarah, d. young; 2, Harvey L., 

m. , residence Stockton, Cal. ; 3, Helen, m. Charles Kimball ; 

Harvey m. second Lydia Wing — ch., 4, Laura; 5, Ezra. V., Amasa, m. 
Laurinda Moore (see Moore family), is a deacon in the Congregational Church 
— ch., 1 , Harvey, m.- Arabella Smith (see Kimball Smith family) ; 2, Henrietta, . 
m. J. F. D. Murdough (see Murdough family) ; 3, Juliette A., m. James 
M. Davis (see James M. Davis family) ; 4, Mary M. VI., Emily, d. unm. 
VII., Sarah F., m. William Prentiss (see Prentiss family). VIIL, Marden 
W., d. young. 

Darius Liscomh m. Olive Slader (see Slader family) s. in Hartland, Vt., 
when it was a wilderness — ch., I., Oren, m. Sarah Davidson — ch., 1, Marcia, 
m. Carleton Eastman of Hartland ; 2, Lucia, (twin with Marcia) residence 
Laconia; 3, Paul D., m. Susanna D. Appleton, residence Pittsburg, Pa. — 
ch., six, grandchildren two ; 4, Almond, m. first Mrs. D. Liscomb, m. sec- 
ond Alice Henderson — ch,, three ; 5, Belinda, m. David Knowlton — ch., (1) 
Caroline B., (2) Lucy E., d. unm., (3) Olive 0.. d. unm; (4) Sarah D., 
(5) Parker D.; 6, Olive, m. John C. Kiley of Hartford, Vt.— ch., (1) 
Louisa, d. young, (2) Freddie, (3) Jasper F. ; 7, Silas J., ra. Lucinda W. 
Clothier of Pittsburg, Pa.— ch., (1) Sarah E., (2) William 0., (3) Anna; 
8, Lorenzo, d. young; 9, Jasper, d. young. II., Harvey, m. Florinda Silsby 
(see Silsby family), s. in Acworth 1805 — ch., 1, Louisa R., d. unm.; 2, 
Aurilla L., m. first Nathan W. Wood, m. second Asa Locke of Langdon ; 
3, Harvey S., d. young; 4, Olive S., d. young; 5, Florinda, m. George 
0. Webb of Weathersfield, Vt. — ch., (1) Lucius C, m. Susan M. Newton, 
residence Lowell, (2) Loren M., (3) (xeorge S. ; 6, Esther A., m. Charles 
L. Tibbils, residence Claremont — ch., (1) and (2) twins, Florence H., Eu- 
gene E. ; 7, Mariette L., m. James D. Danforth of Weathersfield, Vt. — 
ch., (1) Eleanor, m. Elijah Norcross of Claremont. III., Mary, m. Daniel 



LISCOMB— LUFKIN. 239 

Knowlton of Hartland, Vt. IV., Mercy, m. first Chester Nye (see Nye 

fauiily) ra. second Luce. V., Olive m. David Morrison of Langdou 

— ch., 1, Philinda, d. young; 2, Mary E., ra. first William W. Wallace (see 
James Wallace family) — eh., (1) Henry, (2) Emma; Mary E., m. second 
John M. Currier — ch., (3) John M. ; 3, Rebecca, m. William Nourse (see 
Nourse family). VI., Philinda, m. John Robb (see Robb family). VII., 
Lucinda, m. William Ashley — ch., 1, Clarissa, m. Benjamin Smith — ch., 
(1) Francis E. ; (2) Henry A., d. a prisoner of war in Richmond, Va. ; 
(3) Mary E. ; (4) William S. ; (5) Albert B. ; (6) Herbert E. ; 2, 
William A., b. 1820, m. Harriet Moore — ch., (1) Susan E., d. young; (2) 
Adelaide H. ; (3) Albert M., d. young; (4) Frederic M., d. young ; (5) 
William; 3, Elizabeth, m. Charles Thompson — ch., (1) Charles E., d. 
young ; (2) Ella L. VIII., John L., m. Jane Robb (see Robb family) — 
ch., 1, Martha M., m. Joseph Simpson, residence East Boston — ch., (1) 
Estelle ; (2) Jennie 0. ; (3) Ida F. ; 2, Harvey M., m. Diana Pearsons, 
residence Proctorsville, Vt. — ch., (1) Harvey M. ; 3, Mary J. d. unm. ; 
4, Margaret, a teacher in Lisbon, 111. ; 5, Emily E., d. young. IX., Betsey, 
m. James Armstrong in Acworth, residence Bradford — ch., 1, Anna E. ; 
2, James. X., Darius P., m. Ann Clement, d. in Castleton, Vt. — ch., 
1, William, residence West Rutland, Vt. ; 2, Elizabeth, m. George Spenser 

of West Rutland, Vt. ; 3, Charles, m. , d. at Castleton, 1859; 4, James, 

residence Cleveland, Ohio ; 5, Orlando ; 6, Abbie, residence Rutland. 

Ajios J. Locke, a native of Sullivan, m. Clementina Stoughton, s. in Ac- 
worth 1823 — ch., I., Clementina M., graduated at Mount Holyoke, taught at 
St. Charles, Mo., m. Rev. William Porter of St. Francisville, Mo. — ch., 1, 
Calvin S. ; 2, Mary, II., Calvin, b. 1829, graduated at Amherst College 
in 1849, taking a first class oration at commencement, though the youngest 
of his class receiving a degree ; graduated at, the Divinity school of Har- 
vard University, ordained as pastor of the Unitarian Society at West Ded- 
ham, 1854, resigned this charge in 1864, became principal of a select school, 
and in connection with that, has charge of the Unitarian Society at Dover, 
Mass., m. Annie Lincoln, daughter of James Lincoln of Northboro, Mass. — 
ch., 1, Harriet P. R. ; 2, William W. ; 3, Henry L. 

Frederic Locke was a native of Westboro, Mass. His father was an 
officer in the French war, and joined the British army at the commencement 
of the Revolutionary War. Frederic, though fitted for college, gave up the 
advantage of a college education, and joined the Continental army, and met 
his father in the opposing army, at the battle of Staten Island. He was a 
civil engineer and surveyor, s. in Acworth 1793, m. first Anna Farwell — ch., 
I., Henry, m. Artemisia Westcott — ch., 1, Caroline, m. Ashbel M. Perry — 
ch., (1) Jane E. II., Melinda, m. Horace Frost of Charlestown — ch., 1, 
Henry; 2, Edwin; 3, Maria; 4, James; 5, Lewis, d. young; 6, Lewis. 
Frederic rem. to Charlestown, m. second, Lucy Graves, by whom he had 
ten children. 



L 



240 GENEALOGY. 

Samuel Lufkin was of the fifth gen. in this country : great-great-grand- 
father, Samuel came from England and s. in Groton, Mass., about 1670; 
great-grandfather John, grandfiither Samuel, father Samuel ; m. Sarah Liv- 
ingston and s. in Acworth, 1795, d. 1838, — ch., I., Samuel, m. Eleanor 
Johnston. II., Cyrus, m. Mary Mathewson (see Mathewson family) — ch., 

1, Roxy, m. T. M. P. Sleeper ; 2, Caltha G., m. Mark Colburn ; 3, Almon, 
m. Elvira Cilley. III., Ezra, m. Lovira Mathewson — ch., 1, Norman ; 

2, Norris ; 3, Charles M., m. Sarah F. Davis (see Thomas Davis' family). 
IV., Mary, m. Araasa Mathewson (see Mathewson family). V., Sarah, m. 
Origen Bingham, residence Coldwater, Mich. — ch., 1, William E., m. "Betsey 
L. Davis; 2, George; 3, Origen, m. Phebe Worden ; 4, Sarah J., m. 
Eugene Cassady ; 5, Charles, m. Naomi Adams. VI., Hannah, m. Eliphas 
Alvord. VII., Cena, m. Eliphalet Reynolds. VIII., Davis, m. Elizabeth 
Heywood — ch., 1, Charles; 2, Leander N. IX., Roxina, d. unm. X., 
Parker, d. unm. XL, Mehitable, m. Franklin Wheeler. XII., Varnum, 
m. Berantha C. Chase. 

James Lyons, with Robert McClure, was the first settler of Hillsboro ; he 
was the father of William, Margaret, and Molly Lyons ; William, m. 
Martha McClure (see McClure family), s. in Acworth — ch., I., Margaret, d. 
unm. II., James, d. unm. III., Mary, d. unm. IV., Thomas was in the 
war of 1812. V., Betsey, m. Jesse Wallace (see Wallace family). VI., 
Patty, d. unm. ; IMolly, m. Dea. Robert McClure ; Margaret, m. John 
McClure (see McClure family). 

Samuel E. Mann, b. 1828, in Alstead, m. Betsey M. Hosley of Lemp- 
ster, 1853, s. in Acworth 1858 — ch., I., David A., b. 1853. II., Louisa 
M. III., Osmyn E. IV., Mary E., b. 1864. 

George March of Londonderry, s. in Acworth in 1809, m. Hannah Nel- 
son — ch., I., George. II., John. III., Hannah N. IV., Aaron N. V., 
Milton. VI, Mary N. VIL, Daniel. VIIL, Betsey D. IX., Abigail 
W. X., Moses N. XL, Jonathan N. XII., George D. 
— William and Joseph Markham s. in Acworth about 1773. William 
Markham was quite a prominent man in town. During the Revolutionary 
war he served on the committee of safety, chosen by the town, and oc- 
cupied other positions of trust. The following children of William Mark- 
ham were baptized in 1777 : L, William. II., Huldah. HI., Olive. IV., 
Lettice, m. Ransom Smith (see Samuel Smith family). V., David. VI., 
John. VIL, Sarah. Joseph Markham, m. Mehitable Spencer — ch., as 

recorded on the town records, I., Joseph. II., Seth, m. Sally ch., 

1, Joseph A.; 2, Mary M. ; 3, Learned F. ; 4, Elizabeth; 5, John S. ; 6, 
Mehitable S. III., Zilpha. IV., Sallie. V., Elizabeth. VI., Lucy, m. Ja- 
duthum Waldo (see Waldo family). VIL, Esther. Mary Markham who m. 
James Rogers (see Rogers family) was an older child of Joseph M. than any 
recorded on the town records. 

Paul Mason, b. in Medford, Mass., 17 Gl, m. Elizabeth Priest, b. in 



MASON — MATTHEWS. 241 

Bolton, 1765, s. in Acwortli 1794, d. 1824, wife d. 1852— ch., I., Paul, b. 
1780, d. 1822, m. Anna Prentiss — ch., 1, Margaret M., m. Erastus Foster 
— cb., (1) Paul M., b. 1837, (2) Allen P., (3) Wilbur, (4) Charles W., (5) 
Edwin E., (G) Abbie A., (7) Ida L. ; 2, William P., m. Lestina Hills— ch., 
(1) Paul W., m. Lucy Twiss, (2) Annette M., d. unm. ; 3, Eliza P., d. 
unm. ; 4, Anna M., d. young. II., Betsey, m. Alpheus Messer — ch., 1, 
Nathaniel, m. Sylvia Booth — ch., (1) Charlie, (2) Marinda; 2, Lucinda, ra. 
Charles Townsend — ch., (I) Eliza; 3, Lorin, m. Elizabeth Walker — ch., (1) 
Ellen, m. Lorenzo Whittemore — ch., two d. young; (2) George, m. Etta 
Lewis — ch., one; (3) Granville, (4) Mary Jane, (5) Charlie, d. young. Ill,, 
Sally, m. Daniel Howard — ch., 1, Hannah E., m. Lewis Gay— ch., (1) 
Sarah, (2) Martha, (3) Eva, (4) Sumner; 2. Eliza E., m. F. A. Howard. 
IV., Martin, m. Matilda Brigham (see Brigham family). V., Horace, ra. 
Nancy Brown (see Brown family) — ch., 1, Mary, d. young; 2, Marinda 
B., m. R. D. Silsby (see Silsby family). 

Charles Mathewson, m. Rebecca Wadkins, sister of Mrs. Jonas Keyes 
and Mrs. Abel Humphrey, s. in Acworth, 1787 — ch., I., Ira, m. Polly 
Spoffbrd — ch., 1, Albert; 2, Elbridge ; 3, Oscar; 4, Otis; 5, Loraine, 
residence Ludlow, Vt. II., Nancy m. Josiah Moody, residence Unity— 
ch., 1, Sally. Hi., Elizabeth, m. Asa Walker, residence Barnard, Vt. (see 
Walker family). IV., Charles, m. Anna Gilman, residence Michigan — ch., 
1, James; 2, Granville; 3, Charles; 4, Algernon; 5, Benjamin; 6, 
Nancy; 7, Julianna ; 8, Dianthe; 9, Rebecca.; 10, Ellen. V., Amasa, ra. 
Mary Lufkin, residence Bristol, Vt. — ch., 1, Chastina ; 2, Lucina ; 3, 
Sultana; 4, Rosetta; 5, Daniel. VI., Mary, m. Cyrus Lufkin (see Luf- 
kin family). VII., Asa, m. Nancy Mathewson, residence Mich. — ch., VIIL, 
Louisa, m. Ezra Lufkin (see Lufkin family). IX., Horace, m. Dolly 
Chellis, residence Goshen — ch., 1, Charles, ra. Clarissa Huntley — ch., (1) 
Zona, (2) Helen, (3) Charles; 2, Charlotte, m. Nathan Huntley — ch., (1) 
Austin; 3,- Ann, m. Albert Straw, s. in Acworth 1856 — ch., (1) Ellen J. ; 
4, Alonzo, m. Mary R. Gleason (see Gleason family), s. in Acworth — ch., 
(1) Edwin A., (2) Charles C, (3) Henry G., (4) Mattie L. ; 5, Louisa, m. 
Alonzo Spaulding — ch., (1) Clarence, (2) Ada, (3) Hattie ; 6, Mary, d. 
unm. ; 7, Helen, ra. Burke Booth. X., Noah, residence Ohio. XI., Otis 
— ch., 1, Mary S., ra. Edwin Gove; 2, Catherine, ra. Moses Clay; 3, El- 
vira, ra. John M. Hobart; 4, J. Otis ; 5, Joanna ; 6, Rebecca. 

Bela Mathews, native of Bristol, Ct., ra. Susan Orcutt (see Orcutt 
faraily), s. in Acworth, 1818, rem. to St. Johnsbury, Vt., 1826 — ch., I., 
William B., m. Lodoskia Farnham — ch., 1, Edgar, d. in United States 
service; 2, Egbert, d. from injuries received in United States scrvicfe ; 3, 
Milo S., ra. Florence Turner, residence Monroe. II., George P., m. Lu- 
cinda Spaulding — ch., 1, Horace P., m. Amanda Young; 2, Henian, m. 
Calista Adams; 3, Zulima A., ra. George B. Davidson of Peacham, Vt. — 

ch., (1) ; 4, Reuben B., m. Mary Hodgman, residence Fitchburg, 

31 



242 GENEALOGY. 

Mass. III., Elbridge P., m. Martha Parker, residence Troy, Vt. — ch., 1, 
Ellen, m. Henry Sumner, residence Troy — ch., (1) Minnie A. ; 2, John, 
residence St. Johnsbury, Vt, ; 3, Edward, in United States navy; 4, Eliza. 
IV., Luther C, m. Elizabeth B. Locke, residence East St. Johnsbury, Vt. — 
cb., 1, Catherine 0. V., Nahum 0., m. Sarah Lyman of New York City, 
residence St. Johnsbury — ch., 1, Emma; 2, Inise. 

IssACiiAR Mayo came from Harwich, Mass., to Acworth, 1788, m. Deborah 
Goold — ch., I., Edmund, d. young. II., Phebe, m. Samuel Houston (see 
Houston family). III., Issachar, m. Mindwell Silsby (see Silsby family) — 
ch., ] , Theron, m. Betsey Stanley ; 2, Watson Gr.,m. Elizabeth Cambridge; 3, 
Sarab G., m. first Higbee Sargent (see Sargent family), m. second Luke 
Smith (see Smith family); 4, Mary Ft., m. Samuel F. Symonds (see Sy- 
monds family), m. second Phinehas Pettingill; 5, Mindwell, ra. George Pigot 
of Boston — ch., (1) Mary, (2) George; (i, Harriet, m. Healy Walker of Unity; 
7, John F., m. IMary Kay, residence East Boston — ch., (1) Annie, (2) Fredie, 
(3) Earnest. JV-j Barnabas, m. Margaret Prentiss (see Prentiss family), resi- 
dence Mooretown, Vt. — ch., 1, Elizabeth; 2, Deborah; 3, Lucy; 4, Emily; 
5, Margaret; 6, Philinda; 7, Barnabas, m. Jane McClure (see McClure fom- 
ily) ; 8 Maria. V., Benjamin, m. first Polly Ransom — ch., 1, Benjamin G. ; 
2, Thomas K. ; 3, Max-garet ; 4, Angeline. Benjamin, m. second Pamelia 
Keed — ch., 5, William L. ; 6, Frederic. VI., Lucy, m. Willard Thorndikc, 
residence Claremont — ch., 1, Asa; 2, Sarah; 3, Harriet; 4, John; 5, Lucre- 
tia; 6, Lucy A.; 7, Orissa; 8, Emily; 9, Jane. VII., Solomon. VIII., 
Hannah, m. Calvin Williams (see Williams family). IX., Edmund, d. young. 
X., Elisha, m. Abigail Breed of Unity — ch., 1, Philinda, m. Ashley Jones 
of Marlow — ch., (1) Georgiana, (2) Abbie, (3) John, (4) Frank; 2, Joel 
T., m. Mary Banks of Alstead — ch., (1) George; 3, Charlotte, m. Dexter 
Morrison of Alstead— ch., (1) Elisha, (2) Charlotte, (3) Hattie, (4) Willie; 
4, William G. ; 5, George W. XL, John G., residence Dover, Me., m. 
Joan Bacon — ch., 1, Josiah B. ; 2, John G. ; 3, Mary E. 

RobertMcClure, son of Richard, wash, in Ireland, 1718. Came to Amer- 
ica when nine years old. With James Lyons and one other person, made the 
first settlement in Hillsboro, 1741. But they abandoned this settlement in 
1744, because of the Indians when the Cape Breton war broke out. Ho 
was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, being nearly sixty when he enlisted. 
In 1785 he joined his sons in Acworth. He was a stalwart man, and re- 
tained his physical vigor almost to the last, and was always punctual in his 
pew in the meeting-house, d. aged 99, m. Martha Rogers, sister of Lieut. 
John Rogers — ch., I., James, b. in Boston, where his father first lived, served 
two years in the Revolutionary army, m. Mary Nesmith of Londonderry, s. 
in Acworth, 1777. After his nine ch. were b. .rem. to Charlestown, and 
afterwards to Waldo, Me., d. aged 87 — ch., 1, Mary M., m. Isaac Nesmith 
(see Nesmith family); 2, Martha R., ra. Salathicl Nickerson — ch., six; 3, 
James N., m. first Philena Lovell — ch., one, m. second Susan Kenny — ch., 



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J^€^:^ f ^ ^--^^"^ij^^^ 






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McCLURE. 2.43 

nine; 4, Sarah, m. John Brown — ch., twelve; 5, Robert, m. Ruth Thomas 
— ch., nine; 6, John, m. Han-iet Whitney — ch., ten; 7, Thomas, ra. 
Betsey Armour — ch., four; 8, Margaret, m, Moses Varney — ch., five; 9, 
Eliza, m. first Thomas McClure — ch., one, m. second James Cochrane — 
ch., eight. II., Robert, was a Revolutionary soldier, and also a deacon of the 
Congregational Church, m. first Molly Lyons, m. second Martha Anderson, 
cousin of Samuel Anderson 1st — ch., 1, Samuel, m. Anna Nurse — ch., (1) 
Milon C, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1846, taking a high rank in 
his class. Taught the Claremont Academy two years, admitted to the bar, 
1849; practiced law in Claremont until his death in 1860, He was an ex- 
act and thorough scholar. "His accurate knowledge of law always com- 
manded the attention of the court, while his uniform courtesy won for him 
the esteem and confidence of his professional brethren." In 1855-6 he was 
a member of the Governor's Council ; in 1857-8 a representative from Clare- 
mont to the State legislature, (2) Nancy J., (3) Orinda A., m. Martin Peck ; 

2, Polly, m. Henry R. Gray of Unity — ch., (1) Martha A., m. Robert 
Bailey— ch., [1] Nathan A., [2] Herbert G., (2) Henry, m. Sophia Nichols 
— ch., [1] Emily F., (3) Mary L., m. Orville Slader (see Slader family); 

3, Jane, m. Amos Keyes (see Keyes family) ; 4, Mindwell, m. Hiram Gil- 
more (see Gilmore family) ; 5, Daniel, m. Linda Parks (see Parks family), 
rem. to Unity — ch., (1) Mindwell, m. Nathaniel Draper, (2) Daniel, d. 
young, (3) Mary A., d. unm., (4) Daniel E., d. unm. III., Thomas, m. 
first Isabel Dickey (see Dickey family) — ch., 1, Martha, m. Adam Wallace 
(see Wallace family) ; 2, Thomas, m. Elizabeth McClure. III., Thomas, 
m. second Rachel Duncan, cousin of Col. J. Duncan — ch., 3 John, d. unm. ; 
4 and 5, twins, Isabel and Sallie, d. unm. ; 6, Hannah, d. unm. ; 7, Henry, 
m. first Lydia Brigham (see Brigham family), rem. to Mooretown, Vt., m. 
second Polly Turner, m. third Betsey Smith of Unity — ch., (1) Mindwell, 
(2) Jane, m. Barnabas Mayo (see Mayo family), (3) Mary ; 8, Polly, d, 
unm. ; 9, Cyrus, d. unm.; 10, William, d. young. IV., Peggy, d. unm. 
v., Martha, m. William Lyons (see Lyons family). VL, Mary, m. Dea. 
James Nesmith (see Nesmith family). VII., John, m. Margaret Lyons (see 
Lyons family) — ch., 1, James, d. unm. ; 2, Robert, m. Polly Woodbury 
(see Woodbury family) — ch., (1) Martha M., m. Rufus Hilliard (see Hilliard 
family), (2) Lydia K., m. Nathaniel Howe (see Howe family), (8) Lucian 
A., m. Orison Keyes (see Keyes family), (4) Rufus L., m. Lucy Ball (see 
Ball family), (5) Judith S., d. unm. ; 3, William, was deacon in Congrega- 
tional Church, m. Lucy Nurse, daughter of Mrs. Anna (Nurse) Campbell 
(see Campbell family). He was an energetic, enterprising and public- 
spirited citizen, promoting by his means and influence whatever concerned 
the material, moral or religious prosperity of the community. He is also 
spoken of as a kind and obliging neighbor. He left a permanent testi- 
monial of his affection toward the church, of which he was a prominent 
member and officer, by a legacy of a thousand dollars ; 4, Auna, d. unm. ; 



244 GENEALOGY. 

5, Esther, d. unm. ; 6, Paxfus, d. unra. ; 7, Betsey, d. unm. ; 8, Patty, 
d. unm. 

Archibald and Alexander McCollom, wlio s. in Acworth about 1793, 
-were sons of Robert McCollom of Londonderry, and grandsons of Alexander 
McCollom who emigrated from Londonderry, Ireland, 1730. His father is 
eaid to have paid twenty- five cents for the head of a cat in the extremity of 
his huno'er in the siege of Londonderry. Archibald, m. Rebecca Alexan- 
der — ch., I., William, who received an education and became a teacher in 
Pennsylvania. IL, Jane, d. III., Martha, d. IV., James A. V., Rob- 
ert, d. VI., Isaac, d. unm. VII., Anna. VIII., Rebecca. Alexander, 
m. Jane Anderson — ch., five, four d. young and one was drowned in the 
Connecticut River, aged 25. 

Samuel McDuffee, native of Bradford, s. in Acworth, 1845, m. Emily 
E. Way — ch., I., Samuel V., studied at Amherst College, while a junior 
enlisted in the United States Signal Corps, studied at Princeton and Bangor 
Theological Seminaries, licensed to preach 1868, m. Mary Patterson. II. , 
Emily M., d. unm. III., Lucy, m. H. Everett McDuffee of Bradford, A^t. 
— ch., 1, Frank; 2, Martha A. IV., George M., m. Ellen M. Lewis, 
residence Keene — ch., 1, Emma M. ; 2, Cora E. V., Martha J., m. George 
B.. Field (see Field family). VI., Charles 0., residence Lempster. VII., 
Louisa E. 

The ancestor of the McKeens was James who lived in the North of Ire- 
land. He was a staunch Protestant and took an active part in the defense 
of Londonderry. He had three sons James, John and William; William 
emigrated to Pennsylvania about 1728; several of his descendants have 
been distinguished in that State. James emigrated to Londonderry, N. H., 
1718, was the father of twenty-one children and has a numerous posterity living 
at the pi-esent time. The widow of John emigrated with James to London- 
derry, bringing three sons, James, Robert and Samuel, and one daughter 
Mary. Samuel, s. in Amherst, N. H., was the father of ten children, four 
daughters Mary, Martha, Agnes and Jane, six sons, of whom Hugh, John 
and Robert were soldiers in the Indian wars, and were killed by the Indians. 
John was taken prisoner at Fort William Henry, and was burned to death, 
bis flesh being stuck full of pitch-pine skewers. Robert became a captain of 
"high renown," was killed at the battle of Wyoming. The other sons were 
James, Samuel and William. Samuel, m. a daughter of Hugh Graham, 
lived some time in Amherst, afterwards in Windham, and then at Belfast, 
where he was deacon of the church. He d. with his sons in Acworth. Two of 

his sons, Hugh and John, s. in Acworth about 1784. Hugh, m. first 

Danford — ch., I., Samuel, m. Polly Clark (see Ephraim Clark family). II. , 

Hugh, m. Hannah , rem. to Lyndeborough. III., D. Danford, m. 

Lydia Page — ch., 1, David D. ; 2, Daniel P. ; 3, Isaac; 4, Hugh. Hugh, 
m. second Mary Gregg (see Gregg family) — ch., IV., William, d. young. 
v., J. Calvin, m. Mindwell Grout (see Grout family), residence Genesee, 



McKEEN— MERRILL. 245 

N. Y.— ch., 1, John C. ; 2, Mary ; 3, William G. ; 4, Rebecca. YI., Solomon, 
m. Susanab Osgood (see Osgood family), rem. to New York. VII., Mary, m. 
Pelatiab Clark. VIII., Joanna, m. Ditton Campbell of New York State. 
IX., William. John McKeen, m. first Mary Gregg — ch., I., Samuel, d. 
young. 11., John, m. Fanny True, rem. to New York. III., Hugh, rem. 
to New York, m. Anna Howe. IV., Betsey, m. John G. McKeen, rem. to 
New York. V., Polly, d. unm. John, m. second Martha Dunn — ch., VI., 
Samuel, m. Polly Brigham (see Brigham family) — ch., 1, Mary, m. first 
Lewis 0. Beckwith — ch., (1) Henry 0., d. young, m. second Henry E. 
Stickney — ch., (2) Augustine, (3) Albert, (4) Mary, (5) Charles, and two 
others; 2, Samuel, m. Clarissa Spencer — ch., (1) Martha E. ; 3, John, m. 
Sarah A. Brown — ch,, (1) John, (2) Lyman, (3) Dean W., (4) Annie; 4, 
Lydia, m. Freeland Hemphill (see Hemphill family); 5, Martha E.,m. first 
Charles Ward of Wayland, Mass. — ch., (1) Etta W., m. second James H. 
Way of Lempster, (2) Emma W. ; 6, J. Leavitt, m. Jennette L. George 
(see George family) ; 7, Cathrine S., m. George F. Youngman — ch., (1) Etta. 

James McLaughlin, s. in Acworth, 1708 — ch., I., James. II., Margaret, 
III., Sarah.. IV., Rachel. V., Thomas. VI., W^illiam. VIIL, Barbara. 

John McMurphy, was the grandson of John McMurphy, who came from 
Londonderry, Ireland, to Londonderry, N. H., in 1719, and became one of 
the leading men of the colony. 'John, b. 1756, in Londonderry, s. in Ac- 
worth, 1784, d. 1814, m. Sarah Grimes of Chester — ch., I., William, m. 
Lucy Shumway of Charlestown, rem. to Alstead, d. 1830. II., Alexander, 

m. of Alstead, d. 1865, in Alstead. III., John, m. Kezia Garfield 

of Langdon, d. 1858, in Alstead. IV., Betsey, m. Jesse Williams, rem. 

to New York— ch., 1, Philinda; 2, Sally; 3, ; 4, George. V., 

Sarah, d. young. VI., David, m. Mary Goss of Dummerston, rem. to 
Boston. VII., George, m. Polly Maynard, rem. to Claremont, VIIL, 
Polly, m. Wailes Jewett of Langdon. 

Nathaniel Merrill, b. in Salem, 1765, m. Lydia Fields, s. in Acworth, 
1789, d. aged 84 — ch., I., Woodbury, b. 1787, m. first Sally Brackway 
— ch., 1, Martin, d. young; 2, Lydia, m. first Nathaniel P. Collins; 
m. second, John S. Collins — ch., (1) John P., d. in army, (2) Louisa 
H. I., Woodbury, m. second Sarah Warner, rem. to New York — oh , 3, 
Nathaniel, d. young; 4, Elizabeth; 5, Mary, m. Solomen Fones. II., Betsey, 
m. Jedediah Sabine of Lempster — ch., 1, Mary, m. Phineas Pettengill (see 
Pettengill family), 2, John, m. Caroline Way; 3, Emeline, d. unm. III., 
Polly, d.'unm. IV., Philena, d. unm. V., Irene, m. Jesse Dow of New Lou- 
don — ch., I., Philena, m. John D. Hemphill — ch., (1) Sarah J., (2) Irene 
W., (3) Aurora. VI., Nathaniel, b. 1802, m. Hannah S. Collins of Spring- 
field — ch., 1, Alice R., m. George M. Peck (see Peck family) ; 2, Hannah R., 
m. Milo H. Newton (see Newton family) ; 3, Emeline S., m. Merrill Robie ; 
4, Nathaniel P., m. Emavine King, rem. to Iowa; 5, Sarah J., m. Manly 
W. Gassett; 6, Helen M.; 7, William E. 



246 GENEALOGY. 

Joseph P. Metcalf, native Croydon, m. Lucy Gould, s. in Acwortb, 1857 — 
cb., r., Henry H., studied law with Edmund Burke, graduated at law 
school, Ann Arbor, Mich., admitted to the bar, 1855, now the assistant 
editor of "The People" newspaper in Concord. II., Ella Z. III., Alice 
G. IV., Frank M. V., Clifton C. VI., Carlos G. 

James Miller came from Westboro, Mass., to Acwortb, 1780, m. Mercy 
Livermore — ch., I., Josiah, m. Mrs. Nichols of Walpole. II., Anna, d. unm. 
III., Thankful, m. David Adams of Orange, Vt. — ch., 1, Stephen ; 2, David. 
IV., Daniel, m. Miss Southwick of N. Y. V., James, d. unm. VI. and 
VII., twins, Moses and Mercy, who d. unm. VL, Moses, ra. Sarah Drury 
of Alstead, residence New York — ch., 1, Stephen, m. Lucy Sone of Alstead 
— ch., (1) Alonzo W., (2) S. Harrison, (3) L. Ada; 2, James, m. first 
Pamelia Whitney, residence East Randolph, Vt. — ch., (1) Joseph E. ; James 
m. second Susan Robins — ch., (2) Frank E. D. ; 3, Lucinda, m. F. Drake of 
Marlow ; 4, Harvey, m. Huldah B. Hayward, residence Langdon (see Hay- 
wood family) — eh , (1) James L., (2) Clara A., (3) Thomas D. ; 5, Moses; 

6, Sarah A., m. William A. Newell of Northfield, Mass., residence New 
York— ch., (1) Edgar A., (2) Henry C, (3) Albert A., (4) William M. ; 

7, Amanda, m. Liberty R. Hardy (see Hardy family). VIII. and IX., 
twins, Levi and Lucy; Lucy, d. unm. VIII. , Levi, m. Susanna Cheever, 
residence Alstead — ch., 1, Tbeda ; 2, Elisha. X., Betsey, m. Benjamin 
Wheeler of Alstead. XI., Phebe, m. first Moses Cheever of Alstead — ch., 
1, Eliza; 2, Sophia; 3, Anna; Phebe m. second Abel Fletcher — ch., 4, 
George; m. third Nathan Howard — ch., 5, James. XII., Esther, d. unm. 
XIII., Polly, m. W^yman Cheever of Alstead — ch., 1, William, m. Julia Em- 
erson of Alstead; 2, Maria M., m. Harvey Washburne. XIV., XV. and 
XVI., d. young. 

Ezra Minor m. first Docia Butterfield (see Butterfield family), s. in Ac- 
worth, afterward rem. to Walpole — ch., I., Alonzo; m. second Mary Clark 
(see Clark family). 

Thomas and Mary Mitchell emigrated from Ireland — ch., Jane, m. 

Hoag of Amherst; William; John; Thomas; and Mary, b. on the ocean, 
ni. James Bridges, was the mother of Mrs. Samuel Slader (see Slader fam- 
ily). Second gen., Thomas, m. ch., Jennie; Thomas; Nancy. 

Second gen., John, m. Mary Hilands — ch., Thomas; Betsey; Oliver; 
Jane; 3Iargaret. Second gen., William, m. Martha Wallace (see James 
Wallace family), s. in Acworth, 1777 — ch., I, John, m. Miriam Keyes (see 
Keyes family) — ch., 1, Nancy, m. Benjamin Alexander (see Alexander 
family); 2, Perley, in. Phebe Lewis, residence Parke Co., Ind. — ch., (1) 
Calista, m. Nathan Davis, s. in Indiana, (2) William, (3) Miriam, (4) Nancy, 
d. num., (5) Charles, (6) George, (7) Andrew, (8) Marcia, (9) Sallie; 3, 
Sallie, m. Merrill Coburn, res. Watertown, N. Y. — ch., (1) Miriam, m. 
Charles FoUansbee, s. in Chicago, 111., (2) Louisa, m. Mark B. Clancy, (3) 
William, m. Margaret Middleton, s. in Watertown, N. Y., (4) Marcia, m. 







^^t:<^l[ 



U 



MITCHELL. 247 

William Rice, residence Chicago; 4, Asonath, m. Joseph Blanchard (see 
Blanchard family); 5, William, m. Polly Briggs, s. in Lincoln, Vt. — ch., 
(1) Nelson, d. young, (2) Gardiner, m. Alma C. Johnson, s. in Berlin, Vt. 
— ch., [1] Willie, [2] Frank, [3] Myra A., (3) Miriam K., m. George 
Lewis, residence Montpelier — ch., [1] Ida May; 6, John, residence West- 
ern Indiana; 7, Andrew, m. Laura Smith, residence Lincoln — ch., (1) d. 
young, (2) Cordelia, d. young, (3) Almira, m. Thomas Mitchell, s. in Mil- 
waukee, Wis. — ch., [1] Andrew, (4) Sarah M., (5) Laura L., m. Thomas 
Mitchell, residence Milwaukee; 8, Almond, d. unm. ; 9, Stephen, d. young; 
10, Ephraim, d. young; 11, Franklin, m. Hannah Poor, residence Wil- 
mington, 111.— ch., (1) William C, (2). Charles F., d. unm., (3) Miriam 
A., m. William II. Vaughn, residence Wilmington, (4) Caroline P., m. 
Thomas Linton, residence Wilmington ; 12, Frederic, m. Rebecca Pearson, 

residence Parke County, Ind. — ch., (1) Allen, m. Stone, s. in 

Iowa, (2) Mary, m. Kelly, s. in Iowa; 13, Miriam, m. Wooster 

Downer, s. in Sharon, Vt. II., . III., Jennie, m. John Kimball — 

ch., 1, Betsey; 2, Jennie; 3, John; all d. young. IV., Jonathan, m. . 
Nancy Mitchell, daughter of Thomas, son of Thomas the emigrant — ch., 1, 
William L., m. Almira A. Moore — ch., (1) Andrew J., m. Mary Whitte- 
more, residence Lempster — ch., [1] Abraham W., [2] Martha A., [3] Nel- 
lie J., (2) William L., d. young, (3) Almira A., d. young, (4) William L., 
m. Jennie Elliot — ch., [1] Jesse A., (5) Levi W., m. Harriet W. Brown, 
rem. to Mason— ch., [1] Clara N., [2] Miniette, (0) Alma A., (7) Abra- 
ham M., (8) Jonathan T., (9) Nellie J., d. young, (10) Clara L. ; 2, James 
L. ; 3, Nancy, m. William Clark (see Clark family); 4, Jonathan. Jane, 
the daughter of Thomas, son of Thomas Mitchell, the emigrant, m. James 
Dickey, 3d (see Dickey family). Thomas, brother of Jane, b. in Frances- 
town, 1783, m. Mercy Slader (see Slader family), d. in Lempster, 1834 — 
ch., I., Thomas D., b. 1811, m. first Thankful Patterson of Belfast, Me., 
m. second Martha A. Crosby of Maine. II., William E., m. first, Cathe- 
rine J. McKinley of Maine, m. second Martha A. McKinley. III., Camilla 
F., b. 1816, m. first, John Severns (see Severns family) of Wilmot; m, 
second William O.sgood (see Osgood family). IV., Zenas S., b. 1818, m. 
Betsey Hayward (see Hayward family). V., Jonathan D. L., b. 1822, d. 
1844. VI., Lewis, d. young. VII., Nancy Lewis, d. unm. VIII., Syl- 
vester A., b. 1828, m. Frances A. Carpenter of Walpole. IX., Mary L., 
b. in Lempster, 1831, m. J. Symonds Bowers (see Bowers family), 1852. 
X., George C, b. in Lempster, 1833, m. Juliett Phelps of Monroe, Mass., 
d. 1801. The children of John Mitchell (son of Thomas, the emigrant) and 
Mary Hylands were as follows, viz: Thomas, m. Dolly Blake, sister of Mrs. 
William Graves — ch., I., John. II., Margaret, m. Bela Patrick of Clare- 
mont— ch., 1, Abbie; 2, Maria; 3, p]llen ; 4, Harriet; 5, Etta. III., Abi- 
gail, m. Henry F. Chase of Walpole — ch., 1, Ann; 2, Abby ; 3, Stephen. 
Betsey, m. David Nutt, residence Canada. Oliver, residence Canada. 



248 GENEALOGY. 

Jane, m. Timothy Currier (see Currier family). Margaret, m. William 
Clark (see Clark family). 

Granville Mitchell, m. Lucy S. Reed (see Supply Reed family) — ch., 

1, Elbridge, m. Mrs. Clarinda (Shedd) Bardin (see Supply Reed family). 
II., Almira. III., Emma J. IV., Perley A. V., Rollins K. 

Porter Monroe, native of Fitchburg, Mass., s. in A&worth, 1854, m. 
Harriet N. Maynard— ch., I., Ella S. II., Hattie A. III., Orin P. IV., 
J. Eugene. V., G. Elmer. 

Hugh Montgomory, came from Francestown to Acworth in 1800, m. 
Mary Campbell — ch., I., Jane, m. William Smith (see Smith family). IL, 

William, rem. to Walden, Vt., ra. Polly . III., Polly, m. Nathaniel 

Silsby (see Silsby family). IV., Thomas, m. Martha Woodbury (see Wood- 
bury family), rem. to Whitefield — ch., 1, Hannah R. ; 2, Mary C. ; 3, 
John 0.; 4, William W., d. young; 5, William S. ; 6, David M. ; 7, 
Samuel H. ; 8, Thomas W. ; 9, Martha A. ; 10, Harriet A., d. young. V., 
Anna, m. John M. Gove (see Gove family). VI., Peggy, m. Reuben Smith, 
. brother of William Smith. VII., David, m. Roxy Morse. 

Luke Moore of Sudbury, Mass., rem. first to Rutland, Mass., and after- 
wards to Acworth in , m. Lucy ch., I., Tabitha, m. John Bryant 

of Rutland, Mass., who removed to Alstead. IL, Flagg, m. first Lucy 
Davis (see Graham family) — ch., 1, Willard, d. young; 2, Lucy, m. Heze- 
kiah Copeland (see Copeland family) ; 3, Samuel H., m. Clarissa Nurse, 
daughter of Mrs. Anna (Nurse) Campbell (see Campbell family) — ch., (1) 
George P., (2) Joseph S., (3) Alice. (4) William McC, (5) Pamelia, 
(6) Samuel S., (7) Hartwell R., (8) Lucy;' 4, Mary, m. John Brighara 
(see Brigham family); 5, Alice, m. Jonathan Davis; 6, Asa D., m. Mind- 
well Campbell (see Campbell family) — ch., (1) James F., d. young, (2) 
James F., (3) Edwin A., (4) Lucy A., (5) Davis G., (6) Alice E., (7) 
Esterbrook P., (8) Juliette, (9) Albert D., (10) Rosine S.; 7, Mellissa, d. 
young; 8, Louisa, d. young; 9, Esterbrook, m. first Sarah Davis, m. second 
Clara Barrows; 10, Louisa, d. young; 11, Roland, d. young. II., Flagg, 
m. second Olive Richards — ch., 12, Joseph F., m. Lucy A. Davis — ch., (1) 
Henry A., (2) Ellen, F., (3) Sarah D., (4) Ida J., (.5) Charles H. ; 12, 
Martha M. ; 13, Elizabeth A., m. Frank Sawin of Westminster, Mass. III., 
Ashbel, d. young. IV., Willard, m. Mary Abrams — ch., 1, Nancy, d. young; 

2, William F., m. Lucy Hurlburt, residence New York State — ch., (1) Wil- 
liam, (2) Amanda H., (3) Willard A.; 3, Mary A., m. first Jonathan 
Mayo, residence Lempster — ch,, (1) Charles E., (2) Willard M., (3) Free- 
man B. ; m. second Charles Bignal ; 3, Lauririda, m. Amasa Lincoln (see 
Lincoln family) ; 4, Eliza S., d. young ; 5, Willard, m, Betsey A. Hurlburt, 
residence Northfield, Vt. — ch., (1) Harrison W., (2) George D., (3) Isa- 
bella A., (4) Charles P., d. young, (5) Charles, 6, Ashbel, m. Martha Hast- 
ings, residence Groton, Mass. — ch., (1) William A., (2) Ellen M. ; 3, 
Martha A. ; 4, George A. V., Lucy, m. Daniel Wilson, residence Alstead. 




"«*:& 



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MOORE— NEAL. 249 

John Moore of Peterboro, s. in Acworth, m. Mehitable Foster — ch., as 
recorded on town records, I., Philena. II., Jonathan L. III., Amos F. 
IV., Sarah E. 

John Moore of "Weare, s, in Acworth, afterwards rem. to Crown Point — 
ch., I., James M. II., Horace. III., Albert. IV., John. V., Jub'a. 

LoRiNG Morse, a native of Keene, s. in Acworth, 1820, m. Mary Dwinell 
— ch., I., Amorett, d. young. II., Grosvenor C, graduated at Dartmouth 
College, 1854; graduated at Andover Theological Seminary, 1857; ordained 
a missionary for Emporia, Kansas, 1857, ni. Abbie Baibcr — ch., 1, Parke; 

2, Carrie C. ; 3, Irving. III., Mary A. IV., Sarah T., m. Walter Gas- 
sett (see Gassefc family). V., Almira, m. Willard Ryan, residence Wiscon- 
sin— ch., 1, Mary E. ; 2, Bertha A.; 3, Lillie May. VI., Sophia G, d. 
young. VII., Charles L., d. young, VIII., Caroline R.. m. first James 
Walker — ch., 1, Mary E. ; m. second Wilbur F. Merrill. IX., Harriet L., 
m. Paul Cummings (see Cummings family). X., Lorin M. XL, Lorenzo 
M., m. Marietta Bass. XII., Ella D., m. Jonathan Butterfield of Spring- 
field. XTIL, Amy, d. young. 

James Morse was of the seventh gen. in this country ; first gen., Samuel, 
emigrated from England to Dedham, Mass. 1G35; second gen., Joseph ; 
third, Jeremiah ; fourth, Jeremiah ; fifth, Josiah ; sixth, Thomas. James, 
b. at Dover, IMass. 1775, ni. first Olive Harding — ch., I., Lucy H., m. 
Sumner Reed. II., James H., m. Sarah Aldi-ich — ch., 1, Sarah; 2, Louis; 

3, Francis; 4, Charles; 5, William; 6, Emeline, residence Litchfield, Me. 

III., Olive C. James, m. second Clarissa BuUard, s. in Acworth in 

— ch., IV., Rachel S., m. Orange Wood (see Wood family). 

MosES MouLTON of Manchester, s. in 1867, m. Maria L. Brown (see 
Aaron Brown family) — ch., I., Elfreda S. II., Bertha L. 

Thomas Murdougu, a native of Hillsboro, came to Acworth in 1818, m. 
Catherine McPherson — ch., I., Robert T., d. unm. while a student in Dart- 
mouth College. II., George, m. Elizabeth Mitchell, s. in Manchester. III., 
Sarah A , m. Col. C. K. Brooks (see Brooks family). IV. and V., twins, 
Homer and Horace. IV., Homer, m. Emorancy E. Gowan (see Gowan 
family) — ch., 1, Jennie F. ; 2, S. Angle, residence Belfast, N. Y. V., 
Horace, m. Margaret Cheney of New York. VI., Nancy I., m. Benjamin F. 
Woods, residence Arlington, Mass. — ch., 1, Ella J. ; 2, William L. VII., 
J. D. Freeman, m. Henrietta Lincoln (see Lincoln ftimily) — ch., 1, Edwin 
L. ; 2 and 3, twins, Katie E. and Charles E. ; 4, Hattie M. ; 5, George T. 

Solon Neal, s. in Acworth in 1838, m. Huldah Copeland (see Copeland 
family) — ch., I., Winslow C, m. first Sarah Gray — ch., 1, Clarence; m. 
second Harriet L. Gilmore (see Campbell family). II., George W., m. 
Mary M. Watts (see Watts family). III., Hannah, d. unm. IV., Helen, 
d. young, v., Josephine L., m. Benton Tracy (see Tracy family). VI., 
Elizabeth R., m. Alexander Graham (see Graham family). VII., Iliram 
R. VIII. , Olive Annette. IX., Mary E. X., Cora, d. young. 
32 



250 GENEALOGY. 

Dea. James Nesmith of Londonrlerry m. Mary JMcClnre (see McClure 
family) — ch., I., Isaac, s. in Acworth, 1700, m. Mary Mcriurc who was a 
fine teacher and a fluent writer — eh., 1, Julius 0. ; 2, Mary F. ; 3, Carver 
p. ; 4, William M. ; these were b. in Acworth ; 5, Martha L. ; 6, Margaret 
M.; 7, Isaac C; 8, Robert McC; 9, Sarah E. ; 10, Thomas A., a lawyer 
in Cincinnati. II., Robert, resided some time in Acworth, m. Eoxanna 

King (see King family) — ch., 1, Gilmore. III., William, ra. Willis 

. — ch., 1, ■ ; 2, James W., formerly United States Senator from Ore- 
gon. IV., James, resided in Acworth, rem. to Charlestown, m. Lucinda 
Southard (see Southard family) — ch., 1, Mary J., m. Nathan Dustin of 
Galena, Ohio; 2, Margaret, m. George Taylor of Deerfield, Ind. V., 
Martha, m. James Wallace (see Wallace family). VI., Margaret. VII., 
Sally, m. Samuel Wilson (see Wilson family j. 

Uriah Neivton, originally from Princeton, Mass., came to Alstead, m. 
Hannah Eager — ch., Jonathan, Ephraim, who d. at West Point in the Con- 
tinental Army, Joel, Rebecca, Avtemas, Joab and Hannah. Of these, Joel, 
Artemas and Joab became residents of this town, and Jonathan's children, 
though he always lived in the edge of Alstead, made this town their resi- 
dence for a longer or shorter period. Joel c^mQ to town in 1824, d. unm. 

AriTEMAS came to town about 1800, m. cli., I., Rebecca. II., 

Abigail. III., Elijah F. IV., Ephraim. V., Sally F. VI., Hannah. 
VII., Artemas. VIII., Jonathan. IX., Betsey B. The family afterwards 
rem. to New York. Jonathan, m. Betsey Brigham (see Brigham family) 
— ch., I., Asa. II., Joel. III., Silas, m. Sarah Kent, s. in Acworth, 
18G3 — ch., 1, Anna, m. Theron Duncan (see Duncan family); 2, Isaac, m. 
first Delight Brackett— ch., (1) Elsie, (2) Alice, (3) Ernest, (4) Amy; m. 
second Rasilla Brackett — ch., (5) Elmer. IV., Betsey, m. Amos Harding 
(see Harding family). Joab came to Acworth, 1797, m. Polly Butterfield 
(see Butterfield family) — ch., I., Uriah, b. 1798, resides in Walpole, m. 
Mary Knight — eh., 1, Mary; 2, Elizal)eth; 3, Hubbard; 4, Alraira. II., 
Mary, m. Isaac Brown (see Aaron Brown family). III., Harvey, residence 
Windsor, Vt., m. Acsah Bailey — ch., 1, Mark. IV., Joab, d. unm. V., 
Benjamin, m. Sally E. Jones — ch., 1, Milo H., m. Hannah R. Merrill (see 
Merrill family) — ch., (1) Hattie A., (2) Elwyn L. ; 2, Winslow, residence 
Illinois, d. in the army, m. ]Mary Clough — ch., (1) Mary E. ; 3, Mary F., 
m. Loren Sweet, residence Illinois — ch., (1) A. Eugene, (2) Minnie A.; 
4, Artemissa E., m. Joab N. Davis (see Davis family); 5, Orlow C, resi- 
dence Illinois, d. in the army; G, Alice A., m. John McDonald, residence 
Illinois — ch., (1) John C, (2) Susie F. ; 7, Ainslow A., d. in the aimy; 8, 
Benjamin A.; 9, Adolphus L. ; 10, Dorson E., b. 1849. VI., Calista, b. 
1808, m. Thomas J. Davis (see Davis family). VII., Hubbard, residence 
Milford, m. Caroline Holmes — ch., 1, Mary; 2, George; 3, Frank; 4, Hat- 
tie. VIII., Orlando, residence Claremont, m. Elsie Jones — ch., 1, Ovid, 
m. Nellie Capley, d. 1863; 2, Oscar, m. Abbie Knights; 3, Frank. IX., 




/T^^^^cJ2t^^ 



NEWTON— ORCUTT. 251 

Hannah, ra. William Eobinson of Hancock — cb., 1, Helen; 2, George; 3, 
Marietta; 4, Newton; 5, Adalaide ; 6, Henry; 7, Ella. X., Marinda, m. 
Moses Robinson of Greenfield. XL, Coolidge, d. unm. XII., Caroline, 
b. 1821, d. unm. 

Benjamin Nichols of Cambridge, Mass., s. in Acworth, 1838, m. Mary 
Smith — ch., I., Almon, ra. Julia Gale — ch., 1, Eldridge L. ; 2, Etta J., 
residence Lawrence, Mass. II , George F., m., Olive Richardson (see 
Richardson family). III., Nancy M., m. John Osgood, (see Osgood family). 
IV., Aogie L. 

Daniel Nourse, native of "Westboro, Mass., s. in Acworth 1785, m. first 
Anna Wilcox 1791 — ch., I., Daniel, m. Margaret Wilson (see Wilson 
family), rem. to Fox Lake, Wis., 1855 — ch., 1, Mary L., d. unm.; 2, 
Solon, residence Kcosaqua, Iowa, m. first Amanda Hodgman ; m. second 
Carrie McBride — ch., (1) Carrie; 3, Julia A, d. young; 4, Daniel H., 
m. Ann E. Slader (see Slader family)— ch., (1) Flora E., (2) Solon L., (3) 
Herbert F., (4) Jesse S., (5) Willie E., d. young, (6) Carrie I., (7) 
Marden W., (8) Edward W., rem. to Wisconsin ; 5, William, residence 
Newport, m. first Rebecca Morrison (see Liscomb family) — ch., (1) Willie, 
d. young; m. second Ellen W. Hatch — ch., (2) May E., (3) EmmaL., (4) 
Marcia B. ; 5, Willie H ; 6, Nancy, m. Joel Hubbard, residence Mount 
Pleasant, Mo. ; 7, Julia A., m. Samuel H. Edes of Newport — ch., (1) 
George C, (2) William, (3) Samuel, d. young, (4) Marcia; 8, Helen 
Marr, m. George H. Fairbanks of Newport — ch., (1) Charles, (2) Mary, d. 
young, (3) G. Arlington; 9, George W., m. Juliette Woodward of New- 
port — ch., (1) William, d. young, (2) Grace L. ; 10, Freeman W., ra. Mary 
Peck, residence Fox Lake, Wis. Daniel, m. second Mrs. Orinda AYilcox. 

Chester Nye of Norwich, Vt., m. Mercy Liscomb — ch., I., Corinna, m. 
Dick Huntington of Hartford, Vt. II., Calista. III., Daniel, m. first 
Fanny F. Hayward (see Hayward family), s. in Acworth — ch., 1, Chester; 
2, Harvey, d. young; 3, David F. ; 4, Charles ; 5, Arthur. IV., INlari- 

anna, m. Paschel Houghton of Illinois. V.,, Harvey, m. , residence 

Illinois. VI., J. Newell, m. Peggy Jane Clark (see Clark family) — ch., 1, 
Ellen M. ; 2, Willie C. 

Dr. William Oliver m. Mrs. (Kinnerson) Hoyt — ch., I., William, 
IT., Eben. Ill,, George. IV., Esther, rem. to Canada. Mrs. Oliver was 
a sister of George Kinnerson, who m. a sister of Eliphalet Bailey, and re- 
sided in Acworth a little while. 

Nathan Orcdtt was of the fourth gen. in this country. His great-grand- 
father, William, s. in South Bridgewater, d. 1790. His will mentions nine 
children, viz. : Andrew, John, Joseph, Thomas, Benjamin, Martha, Mary, 
Hannah and Susanna. His grandfather, Joseph, and his father, Ichabod, 
both resided in Bridgewater. Nathan m. Susanna Snell — ch., I., William, 
m. Abigail Carlton (see Carlton family) — ch., 1, Clarissa, m. Abel M. Rice, 
residence Oxford; 2, Nahum, m. Belinda Silsby (see Silsby family) rem. to 



252 GENEALOGY. 

Lempster — ch., (1) William, (2) Sopliia ; 3 Leonard, rem. to New York, 
m. Sally Breed— ch., (1) Clarissa, (2) Tliirza, (3) Willard, (4) George, 

(0) Charlotte, (6) Mary; 4, Susan, m. Bela Mathews (see Mathews family). 
II., Nathan. III., Daniel, d. unm, IV., John Snell, m. Hannah Cunier 
(see Currier family), d. 1841 — ch., 1, Naomi, m. first Oliver Parker — ch., 

(1) Amanda, (2) Joseph, (3) Rebecca, (4) Enoch C. (5) Nancy N., (0) 
Hannah 0.; Naomi m. second Alpheus Crosby — ch., (7) Miriam, (8) 
Oliver P., (9) Mary; 2, Daniel C, d. young; 3, Nathan, rem. to Vermont, 
m. first Nancy Clark (see Clark family) — ch., (1) Nancy, m. Amos Dwi- 
nell, (2) Hiram C, m. Helen M. George — ch., [1] Nancy E., d. young, [2] 
Flora F., [3] Hiram M., d. young, [4] George N.. (3) Nahum, m. Laura 
H. Herron, (4) John G., m. Ettie H. Haynor— ch., [1] John G., [2] Natie 
H., [3] Mary, d. young, (5) Paulina S., m. Henry C. Keith— ch., [1] 
Willie K., (6) Lucy, d. young; 3, Nathan m. second Priscilla Lamb, m. 
third, Mary D. Byron; 4, Lucinda, m. first Henry Graves (see Graves 
family), t^^. second James Eichardson — ch., (1) Henry M. ; 5, Dan, m. 
Fanny Abell (.see Abell fomily)— ch., (1) Daniel M . m. Mary W. Bell. (2) 
Lucina J. M., m. E. D. Judkins, M. D., (3) Louisa M., m. Thomas Frost; 
6, Amanda, d. young; 7, Hannah C, m. Stephen H. Thompson — ch., (1) 
Lovina K. ; H, John, m. Frances L. Blake — ch., (1) Adeline E , and two d. 
in infancy. During his minority John spent most of his time working on 
his father's farm and teaching district schools. At the age of twenty-one 
years, with one hundred dollars, the amount his father gave each of his sons 
at their majority, he left the parental roof to follow the profession of teaching, 
in the West. Wliile waiting at Burlington for the ice to break up, that he 
might cioss the lake in a boat, he was otl'ered a school in Burlington, which 
he accepted, ^^"hile teaching he began the study of medicine. Soon he 
decided upon a collegiate course and entered the University of Vermont. 
At a time of great religious interest in college he became hopefully converted, 
and united witli the Congregational Chuich. Thus his thoughts were turned 
towards the ministry, and his reading more to theological topics. Ill-health 
compelled him to leave college before completing his course. He afterwards 
received the "Ma.ster's Degree" from the college. After some time spent in 
feachino; in the academy at Chester, Vt., he was licen.sed to preach, and supplied 
the pulpit in South Wellfleet, Mass., for a year and a half, where about seventy 
persons were received into the church, — the fruit of an interesting revival. 
After this he spent some two years at Andover Seminary, which he left to 
accept a call from the Congregational Church at North Reading. Mass. He 
was pastor of this church five years, and of the church in Uxbridge, Mass., 
seven years, when he went to Apalachicola, Fla., for the health of a feeble 
daughter. He organized a Congregational Church at this place, and assisted 
in raising funds to build a comfortable house of worship. Declining a call 
from the church, he returned North after a sojourn of eight mouths, and 
received an appointment as agent of the American Colonization Society in 



ORCUTT— OSGOOD. 253 

Connecticut and Rhode Island. After six years he was appointed traveling 
secretary for the whole country, and in this capacity he has been employed 
for over twelve years. His doctorate was conferred upon him by Columbian 
College, D. C; 9, Khoby S., m. Cotton W. Davis (see Davis family); 10, 
Hiram, b. 1815, m. first Sarah A. Cumraings — ch., (1) J. Frank, (2) Mary 
F. ; ra. second Ellen L. Dana — ch., (3) Laura A. He enjoyed only 
limited privileges at the common schools. After attending Chester (Vt.) 
Academy for a term or two, he began teaching district schools, and taught 
seven winters while prosecuting his studies ; fitted for college at Phillips' 
Academy, Andover, Mass., entered Dartmouth College in 1838, and grad- 
uated, 1842; was associate principal of Hebron (N. H.) Academy two 
terms before he graduated, and was principal of the same academy for nearly 
a year after graduating; was then elected principal of Thetford (Vt.) Acad- 
emy, where he remained twelve years and a quarter. In 1855 he was 
elected principal of North Granville (N. Y.) Ladies' Seminary, where he 
remained five years. He then • established Glenwood Ladies' Seminary at 
West Brattleboro, Vt., as a private enterprise, which he managed until 18(38. 
During nearly four years of this time he also had charge of Tilden Ladies' 
Seminary at Lebanon, N. H., where he now resides, in charge of said Serai- 
nary. He has now completed full thirty years of teaching, and during this 
time he has fitted one hundred and thirty-five young men for college, and 
graduated two hundred and fifty-nine young ladies from his seminaries. 
More than one hundred of these graduates have been aided by Mr. Orcutt 
by trust and remittance, in their course of education. Many of them were 
unable to pay for any part of their education while they were studying. He 
has devoted his life and all his energies to the profession of teaching. V., 
Ichabod, m. Rachel Currier (.see Currier family), d. 1857 — ch., 1, Martha, 
m. John Reed — ch., (1) John H., (2) Eleanor, (3) Alvin, (4) Caroline, (5) 
Frank, (G) Andrew, (7) Charles; 2, Nathan, d. young; 3, Cynthia, d. 
young; 4, Amanda, m. Prosper Pierce — ch., (1) Harrison. VI., Susanna, 
m. John Currier (see Currier family). VI L, Malison, m. Joel Turner (see 
Turner family) . 

John Osgood was of the sixth gen. in this country: first gen., John; 
second, Stephen; third. Hooker; fourth. Hooker; fifth, John. Sixth gen., 
John, m. Sarah Downs, 1787, s. in Acworth, 1818 — ch., I., Sarah, m. 
James Osmere, residence Langdon. II., Betsey, d. unm. III., John, m. 
Roxanna Gee of Marlow — ch., 1, Warner, d. unm. ; 2, Dustin G., m. Har- 
riet Spencer of Westminster, Vt. — ch., (1) John E. ; 3, Sarah A.; 4, 
Helen A.; 5, John S., m. Maria Nichols (.see Nichols family). IV., Su- 
sanna, m. Solomon McKeen (see McKeen family). V., William, m. first 
Mrs. Camilla (Mitchell) Severans — ch., 1, Catherine J., m. Luther Ran- 
dall (see Randall family), m. second Mrs. Elizabeth Bullard, ra. third, Mrs. 
Nancy Farnsworth, m. fourth, Mrs. Eunice (Peck) Hopkins. VI., Joseph, 
d. unm. VII., Samuel, m. Belinda P. Emery of Alstead — ch., 1, Marianna 



254 GENEALOGY. 

B., d. unra.; 2, Emily J. P.; 3, Juliette A.; 4, Josephine L. VIIL, 
Mary, d. unm. 

John G. Paige of GofFstown m. Naucy Campbell (see Campbell family) 
— ch., I., Isaac, s. iu Aeworth, 1865, ra. Jane R. Curtis — ch., 1, George W. ; 
2, Frank E. ; 3, Willie P. ; 4, Lauretta, II., Frances, m. Isaiah Richards — 
ch., 1, Charles; 2, Ellen. III., Frank J., m. Julia Crossett, s. in Aeworth, 
1860 — ch., 1, Minnie A.; 2, Myrtie A. IV., Harlan, m. Louisa Kenny. 
v., Henry C, m. Maria Marshall. VI., At wood. VII., Martha J., m., 
Lucian Stearns. VIII., Sarah A. 

Doctor B. C. Parker, with his wife, arrived in Aeworth in the spring of 
1808, at the age of twenty-four years. He was the eldest of five sons of 
David Parker of Westford, Mass., three of whom were physicians, one a 
banker, and one a farmer. For that period he was well educated. There 
were then no medical schools, and the profession was learned in the office of 
some approved physician. He had spared no pains in his profession, availing 
himself of all the means within his reach, and entered his new field of labor 
confident of success. He at first took up his residence at the north end of 
the village, remaining there about seven years. In 1815 he was able to lay 
the foundation of his home in the south part of the village, where he re- 
mained through life, and with which we all love to associate him. Dr. Par- 
ker, as a physician, was widely known and universally respected. He 
acquired celebrity in the region round about, insomuch that his counsel was 
sought iu various directions. He often rode thirty and forty miles in a day. 
He took great delight in his profession ; his patients being to him as dear 
friends, and by day and by night, through snow and blow, he willingly lent 
a listening ear to a call of distress. He never ceased to study, and possessed 
a valuable medical library for that period, and the midnight watch and early 
dawn found him pouring over these volumes. This library was chosen with 
so much discrimination that it became a valuable addition to that of his son 
at a later and more learned period. He was very happy in his modus oper- 
andi as a doctor. He was prompt, and would enter the sick room with such 
a genial, hopeful smile, and so softly, cai'efully and patiently, listen to all 
the complaints of a sick room as to steal the hearts of those looking to him 
for relief. Truly he was a good doctor. As a gentleman he possessed more 
than ordinary culture, and was remarkable for aflfability kindness and polite- 
ness of demeanor. He was a man of strict integrity, ever remembering the 
golden rule, and of whom it might be said, "his word is as good as his bond." 
He was social and generous in his feelings, and his house was the center of 
a wide hospitality. All were welcome, and nowhere did friends find a 
warmer welcome than beneath his roof. None who ever enjoyed his hospi- 
tality will forget the open, generous and courteous manner iu which it was 
dispensed, and will grieve to remember that it is past forever. His profes- 
sion pecuniarily brought him independence. He lived in great comfort, 
reared and educated a promising family, and on the whole had little to regret. 



I 




PARKER. 255 

In his whole career, he was nobly seconded by his wife, Mrs. Mary Parker, 
whom to know was to love. She was strong-minded, had good common 
sense, and an unusual amount of executive ability. At the age of fifty-eight 
years Dr. Parker lost his wife, and soon after his own health gave way. 
During the last ten years of his life he was a great sufferer. The hardships 
of early life now told upon him. As he neared the close of life he gave 
evidence of that faith in Christ which supports in the darkest hour, and 
peacefully went to his rest. He died in 1856, aged seventy-two years. His 
children were, I., Milton, early designed for his father's profession, he 
added to it surgery. He enjoyed all the facilities his country affords for a 
complete education. He spent double the usual amount of time in prepar- 
ing for his profession, and year after year found him at lectures in New York, 
Boston and Philadelphia. His object accomplished, and his health requiring 
a more genial clime, he went South and settled in Charlestown, Va. Here 
he was warmly received, and entered at once upon a large and lucrative prac- 
tice in both branches of his profession. As a surgeon he obtained a wide 
celebrity and cases were brought to him from all the country round about. 
Day after day, and year after year, amid a throng of suffering humanity, he is 
perfectly at home. The first glimpse of his cheerful sanguine countenance 
inspires a new confidence, and as he proceeds, his quick perception and ready 
adaptation to circumstances, is, to a looker-on, surprising. In 1859 his 
health made a change desirable, and he removed to Chicago, his present 
residence, not intending to engage in practice to any extent. His reputation 
however followed him, and the force of habit drew him into a large practice, 
and he ranks high among the medical men of that city. He m. Harriet, 
eldest daughter of Colonel Train of Washington, N. H. II., Laura, the 
eldest daughter of Dr. Parker, inherited the talents of the family. She 
however was quiet and unobtrusive in her ways, rejoicing rather in the 
praise and successes of her brothers and sisters than in seeking a high place 
for herself. She was domestic in her habits, and was assiduous in her atten- 
tion to the wants of her parents and friends, studying to make all around 
her comfortable and happy. She was also public-spirited, taking great 
interest in the Sabbath-school and in all the missionary and benevolent 
enterprises of her native village. She was the last of the family to leave 
Acwo'rth, having seen her father, mother and sister laM in the silent grave, 
and her brothers settled in their professions. She died in South Carolina 
where she had gone for health. III., Mary, d. young. IV., Julia pos- 
sessed uncommon traits; she had a cheerful and happy temper, ready wit, 
and good conversational powers. She thirsted for knowledge, and read 
everything that came in her way, from the Bridgewater treatises to works of 
light literature. She readily acquired the languages, and besides Latin, was 
acquainted with French, Spanish and Italian. Before her death she had 
developed quite a talent for writing, had tried her hand upon essays, criti- 
cisms, tales and sketches with much success, writing both in prose and verse. 



256 GENEALOGY. 

In 1851 she married J. Dyson, Esq., of Clarendon, S. C, and died on the 
8th of April, 1852, soon after she reached her new home. Her memoir 
•was written by Miss E. Latimer, and published together with miscellanies 
from her own pen. V., Horace, studied dentistry in Charlestown, S. C, 
and entered upon the practice of his profession in Edgefield in the same 
State, in which he has been successful, m. Sarah Dorm; his eight chil- 
dren are the only grandchildren of Doctor Parker, tinder his roof recur 
the old household names. 

Elisha Parks of Winchendon, Mass., s. in Acworth in 1799. He suc- 
ceeded William and John Mitchell in the ownership of the mills in South 
Acworth, carrying on for many years an extensive business. He m. first 
Mindwell Grout (see Grout family) — ch., I., Linda, m. Daniel McClure 

(see McClure family). II., Royal, m. Evans. III., Mindwell, d. 

unra. lY., Betsey, m. Alexander Houston (see Houston family). Eltsiia 
Parks m. second Mrs. Martha (Whipple) Duncan (see Duncan family) — 
ch., v., Elisha A., m. first Nancy Gilmore (see Gilmore family) — ch., 1, 
Ellen; 2, Stella; 3, Anna M. ; 4, Eva. Elisha A. m. second Helen Hig- 
bee, residence Vernon, Minn. VI., Martha W., m. first Samuel E. Oilman 
of Unity — ch., 1, Henry A., m. second Charles Gilchrist of Garden City, 
•Minn. — ch., 2, Clarence A. VII., Mary G., m. Daniel D. Robinson (see 
Robinson family). VIII., Milton P., d. unm. Elipiialet Parks, nephew 
of Elisha, s. in Acworth about 1830, rem. to Winchendon, m. Rebecca 
Prentiss (see Prentiss family) — ch., I., Helen A., d. young. II., George 
W., d. in the army. III., Emma L. 

James Pearson, b. in Kingston, 1779, son of John Pearson and Abi- 
gail Tyler, m. Hannah Duty, s. in Acworth, 1800, d. 1853 — eh., I., John, 
m. Betsey Clark (see Clark fimiily) 1825 — ch., 1, Freeman, b. 1828, m. 
Mrs. Lorinda (Silsby) Harding (see Harding family), residence Mazeppa, 
IMinn.; 2, Laura, m. Oliver Chapin (see Chapin family); 3, Mary. m. 
Henry H. Clark of Rutland, Vt. ; 4, Sarah A. ; 5, Jane B. IL, Phylena, 
m. Levi H. Morgan, residence Jefferson, N. H. — ch., 1, Marcellus; 2, 
Laura A.; 3, Alman J. ; 4, Paschal; 5, Sarah J.; 6, Chauncy. III., 
Betsey, m. first Jonathan Ilovey, m. second Roswell Carleton (see Carleton 
family). IV., Sally, m. Isaac Minor of Whitefield — ch., 1, Betsey H. ; 
2, Lauren J.; 3, Austin W. ; 4, Sarah J.; 5, Mary P. V., Laura, d. 
young. VI., Lauren, m. Martha E. Colby of Ellsworth, residence Chelsea, 
]\Iass. He was ordained a Baptist minister in Addison, Me., 1852. VII., 
Albert, m. first Linda Grout (see Grout family), m. second Eleanor Dicker- 
son, residence Danbury — ch., 1, Susan A. VIII., Silas, m. Lydia Moore, 
residence Bricksburg, N. J. IX., William, d. young. 

Jonathan Peck of Connecticut resided in Acworth only a few years. 
Of his numerous children only Zia s. in Acworth, m. Sarah Campbell (see 
Campbell family) — ch., 1, Adelaide, d. young; 2, Leander Van E., gradu- 
ated at Dartmouth College iu ; teacher in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., ra. 




ChlCOffCldhocjraphir!^ I 



^^y^^c^i/ ^et^/^3^ e-t^-^ i.' 




l^c>^^ 



PECK— POND. 257 

Mary J. Harris; 3, Nettie N., m. J. Foster Ricliardson (see Ricliardson 
family), d. 1869; 4, Josephine A., d. young; 5, Erborn. Trueman A. 
Peck, son of Jonathan, brother of Zia, m. Helen Johnson, residence Straf- 
ford, Vt. — ch., I., Isabel. II., Nettie. George W. Peck, brother of 
Trueman, m. first Alice R. Merrill (see Merrill family) — ch., I., Ida A, 
II., George W. He ra. second Candace Finney. Calvin D., brother of 
Trueman, m. Julietta Gleason (see Gleason family) — ch., I., Estella W. 
II.. Willie P. III., Oscar R. 

John, son of Joh^i Per ham and Sarah Moore, who was born on the ocean 
between Ireland and America, was b. in Derryfield, now Manchester, s. in 
Acworth, 1796, m. Eunice Richardson of Litchfield — ch., I., Hannah, P., d. 
unm. II., Sally, m., d. of spotted fever. III., John, d. unm. IV., Selinda 
K., m. T. M. Dickey (see Dickey family). V., Franklin, m. Margaret 
Dickey of Londonderry — ch., 1, John; 2, Clarinda, d. young; 3, Sarah L., 
d. young; 4, Lucina, d. young; 5, Horace G. ; 6, Leavitt; 7, Orra A.. 
VI., Clarinda, d. young. VII., Lucina, d. young. VIII., Willard, m. 
Susan H. Clark of Newbury — ch., 1, Josiah R., d. young; 2, Lucia E. ; 3, 
Lucina H. ; 4, Emma J.; 5, Susanna C; 6, George A.; 7, Ellen S. ; 
8, Frances W. Mr. Perham brought his wife and household effects to 
Acworth on an ox sled, sixty miles, through the wilderness. Mrs. Perham 
visited home the next year, riding all the way on horseback, carrying an in- 
fant, while her husband walked by her side. 

PiiiNEAS Pettengill of Londonderry s. in Acworth, 1802, m. Hannah 
Corning (see Corning family) — ch., I., Sally, II., Samuel. III., Maria, 
the first of the family b. in Acworth, m. Joel Tracy (see Tracy family). 
IV., Trueman, m. Lucinda Beckwith, residence Windsor, Vt. — ch., 1, Joe 
T. v., Phineas, m. Mary Sabine (see Merrill family), m. second Mrs. 
Mary R. Symonds. Watson G., an adopted son of Phineas (see Sargent 
family), m. Catherine Hemphill (see Hemphill family) — ch., 1, Lonie May. 

Ambrose H. Piper of Wiscassett, Me., s. in Acworth, 1843, m. first 
Lucetta M. Blodgett— ch., I., Rosa M. II., Herbert L. III., Nellie L. 
IV., Lucetta M., he m. second Mrs. Margaret Putnam. 

Peter Polly of Ashburnhara, Mass., s. in Acworth, 1816, m. Desire 
Flint — ch., I., Peter, d. unm. II., Amos, never s. in Acworth. III., 
Dorcas, never lived in Acworth. IV., Jacob, never s. in Acworth. V., 
Desire, m. first John Buswell (see Buswell family), m. second Silas Thomp- 
son of Marlow. VI., Gertrude, never lived in Acworth. VII., David, m. 
Mary Neal of Unity, was drowned in Haverhill — ch., 1, Luther; 2, Orson; 
3, Alvin; 4, Olivia; 5, Albert; 6, Charlotte; 7, Emily; 8, Harvey. 
VIII. , Flint, m. first Betsey Herrick, m. second Cynthia Neal of Unity. 
IX., Mary E., m. Joel Angier (see Angier family). 

Stephen Pond of Springfield, Vt., s. in Acworth, 1866, m. Olive S. 
Fletcher — ch., I., Susan 0., m. Charles A. Snow (see Snow family). II., 
Stephen H., never lived in Acworth. Calvin Pond, brother of Stephen, 
33 



258 GENEALOGY. 

came from Springfield to Acworth, 1867, m. Eliza J. Ruggles — ch., I., 
William; II., Susan A., ra. Thomas Riley— ch., 1, Willie. III., Eva M. 
IV., Laura A. 

Joel Porter of Sullivan s. in Acworth, 1852, m. Clarissa Barney (see 
Barney family) — eh., L, JoelB., d. young. II., Clara D., m. Frank Whit- 
man — ch., 1, Mary Viola, m. second George F. Reed. III., Abigail S., 
d. young. IV., Ada L., d. young. V., Melinda A. L, m. Hammond 
Reed (see Reed family). VI., William. VII., Emma E. 

William, Levi, Rebecca and Prudence Prentiss, natives of Winchen- 
don, Mass., s. in Acworth. William s. in Acworth, 1832, m. Sarah F. Lin- 
coln, (see Lincoln family) — ch., I., Davis B., m. Fannie McNab— ch., 1, 
Carlos W., residence Springfield, Vt. II., Marden W., m. Ellen M. Perry, 
residence Holyoke, Mass. III., Robert T. IV., William, d. in the army. 
v., C. Herbert, m. Alice Perry, residence Holyoke. VI., Samuel L. 
Levi Prentiss s. in Acworth, 1859, m. Eliza Cummings — ch., I., Alzina 
E., m. Willian P. Scott, residence Manchester. II., Eliza C. Rebecca 
m. Eliphalet Parks (see Parks family). 

Samuel, William and John Prentiss and Robert Huntley (see 
Huntley family), four brothers, came from New Boston to Acworth, 1799. 
Samuel m. Lydia Clark (see Ephraim Clark family) — ch., I., Polly. II., 
Ephraim. III., Theron. IV., Margaret. V., Willard. VI., Nancy. 
VII., Samuel. John b. 1767, m. Mary Brown, rem. in 1819 to Plainfield, 
Vt., d. 1842. His wife lived to see the grandchild of her grandchild — ch., 
eight, of whom five are living. I., Betsey, m. Alvan Wood (see Wood 
family). II., John, m. Mahala Huntoon, residence Leroy, Ohio — ch., 1, 
Silvia; 2, Ethan; 3, Cyrene; 4, Ursula; 5 and 6, (twins,) Rodney and 
Rhoda. III., Luther R., residence Warrensville, Ohio. m. Abigail Patter- 
son, a native of Acworth — ch., l,Zelma, d. 1816; 2, Mendon; 3, Mineda; 
4, Willard; 5, Mary; 6, Ella. IV., Sarah, m. George Ayres of Plainfield, 
Vt. — ch., 1, Lucina; 2, Olive, residence Barre, Vt. V., Lewis, m. Maria 
Reed — ch., 1, Harriet; 2, Charles. 

Dea. Thomas Putnam s. in Acworth previous to 1772; was the first 
justice of the peace, first miller, and first deacon in the Congregational 
Church in Acworth. Children of Thomas and Rachel Putnam b. in Ac- 
worth. I., Martha. II., Dorothy. III., Asa. Dea. Putnam, afterwards 
rem. to Charlestown. 

Luther Randall m. Catherine J. Osgood (see Osgood family) — ch., I., 
Carlos W. 

John Reed of Woburn, Mass., s. in Acworth, 1786; was in the Conti- 
nental Army from the battle of Bunker Hill until the close of the war, as 
orderly sergeant. He had a narrow escape at the battle of Bunker, being 
knocked down by a missile just as the British were scaling the breastworks, 
and killing an officer who was coming over upon him as he was lying pros- 
trate. At another time he went out as a skirmisher with only one man, and 




''^7^3':^Z^^ 



REED. 259 

succeeded at great peril to himself in bringing on an engagement which re- 
sulted in victory to the Continental troops. He m. Deborah Holden of Gro- 
ton, Mass. — eh., I., Polly, m. Moses P. Kemp (see Kemp family). IL, 
Deborah, m. Amos Kenny — ch., 1, Thomas,, m. Matilda Jeffries — ch., (1) 
T. Westley; 2, Emeline, m. Joseph Cheney— ch., (1) Ida D., (2) Sarah, (3) 
Frank; 3, Deborah R., m. Augustus B. Bacheldor; 4, Polly, m. J. Har- 
mon Kemp (see Kemp family). III., Jonathan H., m. Eunice Ingalls (see 
Ingalls family) — ch., 1, Laura R., m. John B. Kemp (see Kemp family); 
2, Electa, m. Silas L. Beckwith— ch., (1) Darwin 0., (2) Ruth L., d. 
young, (3) Amelia Z., (4) Ruth N., (5) Albro E., (6) Edith E., (7) Or- 
mond W., (8) Cornelia E., (9) Jennie T. ; 3, Mary, m. Orlin R. Kemp (see 
Kemp family) ; 4, James M., m. first Esther Beckwith — ch., (1) Albert H., 
d. young, (2) Darwin B., d. young, (3) Edwin W., d. young, (4) Abbie A., 
(5) Edith C, d. young; m. second Mrs. Pamelia Cooke — ch., (6) Edward 
H., (7) Clara E. ; 5, Edith I., d. unm. IV., David. V., Amos, m, 
Patty Stearns — ch., 1, Elijah, m. Marietta H. Dinsmore — ch., (1) Emma 
M., (2) Annette, (3) Frank E., (4) Chester D.; 2, Martha J., m. Elijah 
Huntley— ch., (1) Westley M., (2) Nellie, (3) Julia A. ; 3, Wilbra, m. 
first Julianna E. Perkins — ch., (1) Josephine E., (2) Nelson F., (3) Ells- 
worth A., (4) Byron D.; m. second Melissa Copeland (see Copeland fam- 
ily) ; 4, Julia, m. Amos F. Buswell (see Buswell family) ; 5, Amos J., m. 
Harriet Gee, residence Nashua; 6, Adeline M., m. Henry D. Putnam — 
ch., (1) Jennie N., (2) Arthur 0. 

Supply Reed, brother of John, came from Woburnto Acworth in 1785, 
m. Susanna Byam, sister of Mrs. Dean Carleton, Jr. — ch., I., Supply, was 
drowned when young. II., John, m. Rebecca Buss, residence Ohio — ch., 
1, Lee; 2, William; 3, Caroline; 4, Clarissa; 5, Ira; 6, Levi; 7, Rebecca; 
8, Laura. III., Susanna, m. Silas Royce, residence Northfield, Vt. — ch., 
1., Harriet; 2, Maria; 3, Phyanna; 4, Fanny; 5, Lucy; 6, Henry; 7, 
Laura. IV., Tellotson, m. Delia Byams — ch., 1, T. Sumner, m. first Lucy 
Morse; ra. second Sarah Symonds — ch., (1) Sumner, (2) Fred, residence 
Fitzwilliam; 2, Nahum, residence Lowell; 3, Fidelia; 4, Calvin; 5, Wil- 
liam; 6, Samuel; 7, John; 8, Mary; 9, Sally A. V., Judith, m. Nahum 
Benjamin of Ashburnham, Mass. — ch., 1, Susan; 2, Alvira; 3, Timothy; 
4, Supply; 5, Harriet; 6, Alzina. VI., Supply, m. first Mercy Streeter — 
ch., 1, Sylvester A., m. Betsey Wallace (see James Wallace family) — ch., 
(1) James H., m. Melinda A. Porter (see Porter family) — ch., [1] Addie 
E., d. young; when she died she had three great grandfathers and two great- 
grandmothers, their aggregate age being over four hundred years, [2] Frank 
E., (2) George F., m. Mrs. Clara D. Whitman, (3) Charlie M., (4) Ellen 
M., (5) Willie W., (6) Edie F., d. young, (7) Rollins S., (8) Emma S., 
(9) Elroy E.; 2, Theron A., d. unm.; 3, Maria F., d. young; 4, Lucy 
S., m. Granville Mitchell (see Granville Mitchell family); 5, Maria F., m. 
Rollins Kempton, residence Boston — ch., (1) Zella, (2) Linnie; G, Mercy, 



260 GENEALOGY. 

d. young. VI., Supply m. second Mrs. Catherine (Hodgman) Moore — ch., 

7, Supply, d. unm. ; 8, Willard, m. Lois residence Lawrence, Mass. ; 

9, Israel, residence Lawrence; 10, Gracia ; 11, Ann; 12, George, d. young. 
VII., Patty, ra. Asa Shedd of Stoddard — cb., 1, luda, ui. Lucinda Clark; 

2, Reed, m. first Ann Richardson — ch., (1) John; m. second Tinker 

— ch., (2) Marcellus R. ; 3, Clarinda, d. young; 4, Hosea P., ni. Eliza 
Coburn — ch., (1) Asa H., (2) Arthur, and four others; 5, Clarinda, m. 
first Everett Barden — ch., (1) Tnila; m. second Elbridge Mitchell (see 

Granville Mitchell family). VII., Patty m. second — Kemp. VIII., 

Mahala, d. young. IX., Sally, d. unm. X., Mahala, ra. David Currier 
(see Currier family). XL, Lucinda, m. first Ebenezer Jones of Ashburn- 
ham, Mass. — ch., 1, Eliza; 2, Sylva; 3, Charles. XL, Lucinda m. second 
Abel Corey — ch., 4, Isaac; 5, Lucy, and two others. XII., Parker, d. 
young. XIII. , Parker, m. first Tryphena Smith, residence Alstead — ch., 
1, Drusilla; 2, Charles W. ; 3, George. 

Horace Richardson of Alstead s. in Acworth, 1853, m. Amanda M. 
Chase — ch., I., Charles, m. Nettie Huntoon, residence Lempster. II., 
Eliza A. 

Jacob Richardson of Lempster s. in Acworth, 1857, m. first Lucinda 
Foster (see Timothy Foster family) — ch., I., J. Foster, m. first Adeline 
Thompson — 'ch., 1, Hermon. I., J. Foster m. second Nettie Peck (see 
Peck family), m. third Maria E. Mann. II., Edmund, ra. Lizzie Ward, 
residence Lempster — ch., 1, Cleon. III., Olive L., m. George F. Nichols 
(see Nichols family). IV., Trueman H., ra. Anne Gowan — ch., 1, Ada. 

John Robb, embarked from Scotland for the West Indies to live with a 
wealthy uncle, but was, by stress of weather, driven on the coast of New 
England, where he was detained by sickness. He became acquainted with 
a man who owned land in Acworth, purchased a farm and settled upon it in 
1787, m. Mary Alexander of Londonderry, d. 1799. His wife d., aged 
91 years — ch., I., Mary, m. Whitefield Gilmore of Unity — ch., 1, John, 
m. first Margaret J. Angell; m. second Ann Augusta Beard — ch., (1) 
Margaret J., d. young, (2) Esther H.; 2, Noah, m. Eliza A. Slover of 
New York; 3, Mary E., m. Nicolas E. Sargent (see Sargent family); 4, 
Margaret, d. young; 5, Mindwell, d. young; 6, Bradley M., ra. Clara Lane 
of Raymond, residence Brooklyn, N. Y. — ch., (1) Clarence B., (2) Carrie 
L. ; 7, Rosette, m. first Asa B. Marshall, rem. to Wisconsin — ch., (1) 
Myra R. ; m. second Charles G. Witt of Wisconsin ; 8, Elizabeth J., d. unm. 
II., David, m. first Diana Farr, rem. to Springfield, 111. — ch., 1, Daniel, 

m. Jennie Rogers, residence Nebraska City — ch., (1) Daniel, (2) , 

d. young; 2, Lucy, m. Preston Breckenridge, residence Springfield — ch. , 
(1) David, (2) Lucy; 3, John, m. Mary Bailes — ch., (1) Mary J., m. 
Marshall Raines—ch., [1] John, [2] Eliza, [3] Elizabeth, (2) David, (3) 
Eliza E., (4) Phebe, (:">) Williara, (6) Joseph; 4, Electa, ra. Joseph Claw- 
son; 5, Williara, m. Helen , rera. to Corydon, Iowa — ch., (1) George 



ROBB — ROGERS. 261 

D., (2) Mary D., (3) Daniel; 6, Mary J., m. Joseph Olawson— ch., (1) 
Lucy, (2) Samuel, (3) Emma, (4) Rosa, (5) Abram, (6) Mary J. III., 
Margaret, was burned to death at the time her father's house burned down. 
The house took fire by means of flax tliat had been spread to dry, while she 
was in the cellar, and it burned so rapidly that it was impossible for her to 
escape by the door, and she perished while her friends were hurrying to effect 
an entrance from the outside. IV., John ; in physiognomy, was not unlike 
Daniel Webster. He was a man that could be neither driven nor flattered. 
He was decided in his opinions but not gifted as a public speaker. With 
better early advantages he might have ranked high among men of knowl- 
edge. Besides the town offices he held he was County Commissioner and 
State Senator. He m. Philinda Liscomb (see Liscomb family) — ch., 1, 

Samuel, m. Caroline , killed in San Francisco by the explosion of 

an engine in 1862 ; 2, Harriet, d. unm. ; 3, Nancy, d. unm. V., Jane, m. 
John L. Liscomb (see Liscomb family). 

Merrill Robie, native of Springfield, s. in Acworth, 1869, m. Emeline 
S. Merrill (see Merrill family). 

])aniel Robinson* was of the fifth gen. in America; first gen., , 

emigrated from England, s. in Salem, Mass.; second, Joseph; third, Isaac; 
fourth, John. Daniel was b. in Andover, Mass., in 1783, m. Lucy, 
daughter of Samuel Hills of Surrey, s, in Acworth, 1809; was in the mer- 
cantile business thirty-six years and was a valuable member of society; d. 
1856 — ch., I., Lucy, b. 1808, m. Daniel M. Smith of Lempster — ch., 1, 
Mary L. ; 2, Sarah R., d. young; 3, George M.; 4, Clara E. ; 5. Clarence 
E., d. young; 6, Martha R. II., Sarah T., m. first Winslow Allen (see 
Allen family); m. second Jonathan Robinson of Keene. HI., Mary L.,d, 
young. lY., Dean D., residence Washington, D. C, m. Mary G. Parks 
(see Parks family) — ch., 1., Charles D., killed at the battle of Fredericks- 
burg, 1862; 2, Helen E., m. Galen Grout (see Grout family); 3, Adeline 
L. ; 4, Maria. V., John, m. Sarah M. Peck— ch., 1, Daniel D., b. 1860, 
d. young; 2, Samuel W., b. 1861. 

Daniel Robinson, native of New London, s. in Acworth, 1832, m. first 
Lydia Doolittle — ch., I., Charles, m. Martha Brown (see Gardiner Browu 
family)— ch., 1, Charles; 2, Frank G. ; 3, Willie. II., Ellen 0., d. young. 
III., Ellen M., m. Homer Tracy, d. 1866. IV., Frances A., d. young. 
Daniel m. second Mrs. Sarah Doane. 

Liedt. John Rogers rem. from Londonderry, N. H., to Acworth, 1768; 
built the fourth log house in town. He is supposed to have been the 
seventh gen. from John Rogers, the martyr. The family moved to Ireland 
soon after the death of the martyr. He died in 1776 of camp fever, con- 
tracted in going to bring home Robert McClure, Sr., who was sick in the 
camp of the Continental Army. He was selectman that year, and was the 

* See Rev. Dr. Wright's letter. 



262 GENEALOGY. 

first person buried in the old grave-yard, the site of which he had just 
selected, m. Jane Ewins (see Ewins family) — ch., I., Jjimes, m. Mary Mark- 
ham (see Markham family), rem. to Black River County — ch., 1, Jonathan; 
2, John ; 3, Joseph ; 4, Nancy; 5, Tamsa ; 6, Ralph, is a practicing physician 
in Watertown, N. Y. ; 7, Samuel; 8, Mary; 9, Lucy; 10, Drusilla ; 11, 
Teressa; 12, Ann; 13, Eliza. II., Jonathan, m. first Polly Maes, residence 
Springfield, Vt. — ch., 1, Polly, m. Mr. Cabbot, residence Hartland, Vt. — 
ch., seven. II., Jonathan ra. second Elizabeth Rogers — ch., .2, Maes; 3, 
Ephraim; 4, Nancy; 5, Alvah. III., John, m. Polly Reynolds — ch., 1, 
Daniel; 2, Maria ; 3, Hannah ; 4, John ; 5, Eliza ; 6, Malvina, and 7, a twin 
sister; 8, Stephen R. ; 9, Susan H., m. Jesse Eaton — ch., (1) Samuel, (2) 
Mary, (3) Ella; 10, Harriet E., m. Charles P. Talbot of Lowell— ch., (1) 
Fannie M., (2) Edward R., (3) Julian; 11, Daniel. IV., Samuel, m. 
Anna Dodge, residence Syracuse, N. Y. — ch., one. V., Peter. VI., Bap- 
tist, first male child born in Acworth, residence Dorset, Vt. VII., Hannah, 
m. Wellman. VIII., Susannah B., m. Joseph Hemphill (see Hemp- 
hill family). IX., Nancy., m. Abner Gage, rem. to Ohio — ch., 1, Ruth; 
2, John, and others. X., Elizabeth, m. Stephen Thornton (see Thornton 
family). XL, Esther, m. first Benjamin Hobbs (see Hobbs family); m. 
second, George Clark (see Clark family); m. third, Mr. Temple. 

James and William Rogers of Londonderry s. in Acworth before 1785. 
James m. Betsey Wilson — ch., I., Margaret. II., Thomas, d. young. 
III., John, d. young. IV., Jonathan, m. Jane Dickey (see Dickey family) 
— ch., 1, Milton. V., James, rem. to New York. VI., William. VII., 
Thomas, m. Susan Warner (see Warner family) — ch., 1, Martha, d. unm.; 

2, George W., m. Elizabeth ch., (1) Walter. VIII., Hiram, m. 

Mary Wilson. IX., Theophilus, d. unm. William m. Jenny Logan, 
daughter of Mrs. Joseph Findley by her first husband — ch., I., Sally. II., 
Betsey. III., Polly. IV., Esther. V., Robert, a soldier in the War of 
1812. VI., William. VII., Daniel. VIII., John. 

Horace K. Rugg, son of Harrison Rugg of Sullivan, s. in Acworth, 
1863, m. Clara Keith of Sullivan— ch., I., Elmer H. 

Daniel A. Ryder, native of Croyden, s. in Acworth about 1848, m. 
first Elizabeth A. Brigham (sec Brighara family) — ch., I., Herbert D. II., 
Ida E. III., Clarence D. IV., Helen M. Daniel m. second Mrs. Har- 
riet Dunham — ch., V., Minnie, d. young. 

Capt. Edward Savage was of the fourth gen. in America: First gen., 
Edward Savage, emigrated from Loudoun, Scotland, to Rutland, Mass., in 
1728. According to tradition his ancestors took a prominent part with Bruce 
in the battle of Loudoun; second gen., Seth; third gen., Edward, who left 
America and went to Europe at the birth of his son, Edward, and death of 
his wife, 1786. Edward was adopted by his aunt Elizabeth Hartwell, who 
m. James Arch. He was a deserter from Burgoyne's army, and fearing 
arrest he threaded his way through the wilds of New Hampshire to Alstead, 





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SAVAGE— SILSBY. 263 

and there settled with his wife and adopted son, and thus young Savage, as 
his name imports, became a "dweller in the woods." Capt. Edward Sav- 
age m. first Abigail, daughter of Benjamin and Rhoda Vickery of Lemp- 
ster, s. in Acworth, 1824 — ch., I., Edward H. ; engaged in mercantile pur- 
suits in Marlow, afterwards removed to Boston ; appointed a member of the 
Boston Police Department in 1850; became Captain of Police in 1854, 
and Deputy Chief in 1861, which office he still holds. He is the author of a 
book entitled "Boston Police Recollections," ra. first, Zoa Houston (see 
Houston family) — ch., 1, Osmer, d. young; 2, an infant, d. young; m. second 
Fanny M. Baker, daughter of Capt. Nathaniel Baker of York, Me. — ch., 
3, Edward H. ; 4, Lillian F. II., James H., m. Clarissa E. Bartlett, d. 
1850. Capt. Edward Savage m. second Mrs. Lydia (Davis) Sleeper (see 
Davis family), d. 1862. 

Asa Sargent of New Boston s. in Acworth, 1806, m. Martha Smith (see 
William Smith family) — ch., I., Judith, d. unm. II., Asa, m. Louisa 

Adams (see Adams family) ; m. second Tandy, rem. to Lempster. 

III., Anna, d. unm. IV., . V., Jacob. VI., Higbee, ra. Sarah 

G. Mayo — ch., (1) John, (2) Jacob, (3) Watson Gr., adopted son of 
Phineas Pettengill (see Pettengill family). 

Nicholas E. Sargent of Unity, s. in Acworth, 1853, m. first Emeline 
Carey — ch., I., Emeline S., m. George Neal. He m. second Mary E. Gil- 
more (see Robb family). 

Nathaniel Sawyer of Groton, Mass., s. in Acworth, 1797, ra. Polly 
Lawrence — ch., I., Orra. II., George R., rem. to Middlesex, Vt. III., 
Mindwell. 

Ransom Severns of Andover s. in Acworth in 1832, rem. to Unity in 
1857, m. Lorinda Currier (see Blood family) — ch., L, Flora J., m. Wil- 
liam B. Johnson — ch., 1, Perley A. II., Barton D., m. Hattie Kendall, 
residence Wilmot. III., Louisa A. 

John Severns, brother of Ransom, m. Camilla Mitchell (see Mitchell 
family) — ch., I., William Hayward, m. Catherine Miller. 

The SiLSBY family have been both numerous and prominent in town. At 
one time there were more voters of that name than of any other. The house 
of Henry Silsby, Sr., was the first inn, town-house and church. His name 
stands first on the church records, and on the lists of Selectmen, Moderators 
and Town Treasurers. His son, Jonathan, was a surveyor, and is supposed 
to have assisted in the first survey of the town. He fell dead one Sabbath 
at his pastor's gate having just performed his customary ofiice as deacon at 
the communion service. Lasell was also a deacon in the Congregational 
Church. Dea. Henry was tall and venerable in person and prominent in 
the church by reason of his piety, sound sense and zeal in religious matters. 
Capt. Ithiel was prominent in town affairs and in general business. Though 
latterly a citizen of Newton, Mass., he retained a life-long interest in his 
native town, and a vivid recollection of the past history of Acworth. Had 



264 GENEALOGY. 

his life been spared to have been present at the Centennial, to which, up 
to the day of his death, he was looking forward with great interest, his 
aid would have been invaluable in furnishing materiafs for this history. 
Samuel and Henry Silsby, brothers, came from Windham, Ct., to Ac- 
worth in 17G9. Their grandparents y^evQ Jonathan and Bethiah Silsby; 
parents, Jonathan and Lydia. Henry m. Mrs. Bethiah (Woodward) 
Lasell — eh., I., Hannah, d. unm. II., Lydia, m. Simon Stevens — eh., 1, 
Silsby, rem. to Ohio. III., Jonathan, m. Rachel Blood (see Blood family) 
— ch., 1, Nathaniel, m. Polly Montgomery (see Montgomery family) — ch., 
(1) Lavina, m. Allen Haywood (see Haywood family), (2) Lyma, resi- 
dence Lempster, m. Eli Twitchell — ch., [1] Maryanna, [2] Augusta, m. 

William Welch, [3] Nettie, m. Kimball Pollard, (3) Harriet, m 

Hurd, (4) Jonathan, m. Eunice Pike, residence Newport — ch., [1] Charles 
A., (5) Roxilla, m. Henry Gleason (see Gleason family), (6) Milton, m. Bet- 
sey Huntoon, (7) Roswell ; 2, Joshua G., m. Polly Fisher, sister of Mrs. Alex- 
ander Grout — ch., (1) Almira, m. Gleason, (2) Fisher, m. Drusilla 

McKeen— ch., [1] Gilson, [2] David, [3] Robert, [4] Charles, (3) Mary, 
m. Martin Spaulding, (4) Gilson, d. young, (5) Marvin, m. Zilpha Thorn- 
ton; 3, Bethiah, m. Amos Bailey (see Bailey family) ; 4, Lydia. m. Larnard 
Thayer (see Thayer family) ; 5, Lyma, m. Richard Fisher — ch., (1) Ros- 
well; 6, Henry, m. Ruth Woodbury — ch., (1) William, m. Olive Linscott 
— ch., [1] Maria F., [2] Olive C, [3] Laura, [4] Willie L., (2) Milon, d. 
young, (3) Solon, m. first Augusta Norwood; m. second Abia Chapin — ch., 
[1] Susan A., [2] Henry L., [3] Charles, [4] Eunice, [5] Estella, [6] 
George, (4) Susan L., d. unm., (5) Harvey H., m. Melinda Stearns — ch., 
[1] Mary, [2] George A., [3] Hattie, [4] Flora, (6) Samuel T., m. Re- 
becca C. Lawrence — ch., [1] Susan, [2] George, (7) Almira, m. John L. 
Milton. (8) Clarinda, d. unm., (9) Henry L., m. Sarah G. Campbell (see 

Campbell family), (10) Lurinda, m. first Orville Turk; m. second 

Luther, (11) J. Amanda, m. M. T. Moore, (12) Marian M., m. 

Walker — ch., [1] Flora, (13) George A., d. young; 7, Jonathan, m. Bet- 
sey Slader (see Slader family), graduated at Dartmouth College, 1814, 
graduated at Medical College, 1815, began practice in Madison, N. Y., 
1817, rem. to Cazenovia, 1818, where he practiced successfully until his 
death, 1831 — ch., (1) Mary L., m. William W. Johnson (see Johnson 
family), (2) Martha R., d unm., (3) Jonathan H., d. unm.; 8, Asenath, 
m. Thomas Slader (see Slader family); 9, Harvey, d. unm; 10, Truman, 
m. Delia Twitchell — ch., (1) Henry M., m. Nancy G. Allen (see Allen 
family)— ch., [1] Emma D., (2), Truman M., m. Ellen M. Walker— ch., 
[1] Georgie A., [2] Luther H., [3] Truman E., (3) Lorinda, m. first, 
Amos Harding (see Harding family) ; m. second Freeman Pearsons (see 
Pearsons ftimily). IV., Henry, d. young. V., Henry, d. unm. VL, La- 
sell, m. Huldah Scovile — eh., 1, Dolly, m. Joel Fletcher of Lempster — ch., 
(1) Ardelia, m. Jessie Miller, (2) Mary M., m. Solymon Spaulding — ch., 



"'C^ 






^-^^ TZ^. 




SILSBY. 265 

[1] George, d. young, [2] PIcnry, d. num., (3) Samuel, m. Catherine Jones, 
residence Charlestown — oh., [1] Ellen, [2] Katie, d. unm., [3] Mary; 2, 
Lasell, m. Lucy Mayo (see Mayo family) — ch., (1) Alniira, m. William H. 
Eoyce, (2) Ebenezer M., m. Mary Patroll, (3) Caroline A., m. John iJ. 
Howes — ch., [1] Arthur S.; 3, Huldah, m. first Levi Thompson — ch., (1) 
Arthusa, m. Lorenzo Foster; m. second Richard Colby — ch., (2) Hannah 
H., d. young; 4, Abigail, m. Eliplialet Bailey (see Bailey family); 5, 
Joseph, m. Harriet Smith — ch., (1) Vryling; 6, Esther, m. James Lawson, 
residence Warsaw, N. Y. — ch., (1) David M., d. unm., (2) Clarinda G., 
d. young, (3) Sabra C, m. David C. Martin, (4) J. Hermon, m. Henri- 
etta E. Brown— ch., [1] Fredie D. M., [2] Frank J.; 7, Asaph, m. first 
Betsey E. Gipson, m. second Olive Steel, residence Upper Jay, N. Y., — ch., 
(1) Abigail, m. Amos L. Chase, (2) Sarah, m. first John D. Martin, m. 
second Amos L. Chase, (3) Lasell S. G., m. Louisa Labayteaux, (4) 
Russel D., m. Marinda B. Mason— ch., [1] Martha M., [2] Mary M., [3] 
Ellen M., [4] Betsey J., [5] Ithiel M., (5) Ithiel S., d. unm., (6) Betsey 
P., m. Luther Ainsworth — ch., [1] Ida, [2] Everad, [3] Ithiel, [4] Inah, 
(7) Nancy J., m. Eleazer M. Williams, (8) Asaph M., m. Abigail Clifford 
— ch., [1] Effie M., [2] Addie M., [3] Olive B., [4] John O., (9) John W., 
d. unm.; 8, Ozias, m. Louisa Wells — ch., (1) Maria C, m. Nelson Has- 
Bom— ch., [1] Arthur B., [2] Louisa M., [3] Laura A., [4] Charles N., 
[5] Emma J., [G] Walter E., (2) Edwin S., m. Ednah B. Hacket— ch., 
[1] Caroline L., [2] Amanda E., [3] Homer, (3) Richard C, m. Wealthy 
B. Houston — ch., [1] Ithiel, [2] Clara A., (4) Simeon W., d. young, (5) 
Susan B., m. Moses L. Field— ch., [IJ Wesley 0., [2] Waldo. VII., 
Eliphaz, m. Esther Scovile — ch., 1, Hannah, m. James Straw — ch., (1) 

Eliphas, m. ch., [1] Lysander, (2) Esther, m. Asa Gould — ch., 

[1] Clarence H., [2] Adaline, (3) Anna S,, C4) Hannah, m. David Snow 
— ch., [1] Edwin M., [2] Marietta F., [3] Andrew F., [4] Albert D., [5] 
Elbridge W. ; 2, Florenda, in. Harvey Liscomb (se6 Liscomb family) ; 3, 
Ithiel, m. Hannah Gregg (see Gregg family) — ch., (1) Levi H., m. first 

Caroline Stevens, m. second Harriet , (2) Anna S., d. young, (3) 

Ithiel H., m. Eleanor Merrill, daughter of Rev. Joseph Merrill — ch., [1] 
Homer M., (4) Hamilton R., d. unm., (5) Mary B., m. John G. Latta — 
eh., [1] Lillie, [2] Florence, [3] Mary C. VIII., Ozias, m. first Mary 
Dearborn, m. second Fanny Jones, residence Hillsboro — ch., 1, Almira; 2, 
Mary; 3, Frances A.; 4, Lucinda; 5, Hannah; 6, Martha; 7, Caroline; 
8, Charlotte ; 9, George ; 10, Thomas. The children of Samuel Silsbt 
were L, Julius. IL, Augustus. III., Eusebius. IV., Betsey. V., 
Sarah. VI., ^aron. VII., Bridget. Of these only Eusebius lived in 
Acworth any length of time. III., Eusebius, m. Sally Grout (see Grout 
family)— ch., 1, Frederic; 2, Eusebius; 3, Mindwell, m. Issachar Mayo 
(see Mayo family) ; 4, Sally; 5, Philenda ; 6, Sophia, m. Robert Clark 
(see Clark family); 7, Joseph G., m. Polly Keyes (see Keyes family) — ch., 
84 



266 GENEALOGY. 

(1) Pamelia, m. first Gardner Dxirant, m. second Joseph Weston — cli., [1] 
Joseph, d. young, [2] Anna, (2) Julia, m. Blilton P. Thornton (see Thorn- 
ton family). 

Thomas Southard s. in Acworth previous to 1785, m. Eliza ch., 

I., Eliza, m. Samuel Putnam of Charlestown — ch., 1, Eliza J., m. Prentiss 
P. Bowen — ch., (1) Jennette, m. Asa W. Harriman — ch., [1] Carrie J., 
[2] Isabel; 2, Samuel, m. Annette Minor — ch., (1) Wesley, (2) Aaron 
S., (3) Alice; 3, James, m. Susan Dinsmore — ch., (1) Susan, (2) Caro- 
line, (3) Fred; 4, Parthena, ra. Gilmau Bowen — ch., (1) Sarah, m. Charles 
Willard, (2) Eliza, (3) George ; 5, Lucinda, d. unra. ; 6, Caroline, d. unm. 
II., James, m. Hannah Wilcox, daughter of Mrs. Hannah (Miriam) Wilcox 
(see Hayward family), residence Haverhill, III., Moses, and IV., Aaron, 
(twins), residence Haverhill. III., Moses m. first, Nancy King (see King 
family) — ch., 1, Solon, m. Berintha Merrill — ch., (1) George, d. in army, 

(2) Franklin, m. second Melissa Eastman — ch., (3) Sumner, (4) Moses, 
(5) Aaron; 2, Caroline, d. young; 3, Lyman, ra. first Jane Backus — ch., 
(1) Mary Ellen; m. second Hitty Kimball— ch., (2) Mattie, (3) Charles; 
4, Franklin, d. young; 5, George, d. young. IV., Aaron, m. Jennie T. 
Finlay (see Finlay family) — ch., 1, Samuel F. ; 2, Eliza, m. Henry D. 
Page— ch., (1) Jane, (2) Kate; 3, Ann Jane, m. Nathaniel M. Page of 
Haverhill; 4, Joseph, d. young; 5, Kate, m. John W. Morse — ch., (1) 
Kate, v., Lucinda. VI., Jerusha. 

Samuel Slader whose descendants are supposed to be the only persons 
spelling the name with a " d" instead of a " t," emigrated to Hingham, 
Mass., from one of the interior counties of England, about 1725, m. Mary 
Wilder, an American — ch., Thomas, Edward, Samuel, and Sarah. Thomas 
and Edward were soldiers in the army. Only Samuel left descendants. 
He m. Mehitable Lewis, daughter of John Lewis, and s. in Windham, Ct., 
and afterwards in Acworth in 1780. In addition to the usual trials of front- 
ier life his family suffered severely from sickness. When his children, 
Mercy and Zenas, in 1788, wei'e buried, he was the only one of the family 
able to follow them to the grave. He was elected deacon of the Congrega- 
tional Church but died in a few months afterwards, in 1790. His son 
Thomas was elected deacon in his stead, a quiet, unassuming man, but uni- 
versally respected and possessing a judgment much relied upon. He died 
in 1814 and his brother Edward succeeded to the office of deacon, and was 
faithful and zealous through the revivals under Mr. Cooke's ministry, dying 
soon after Mr. Cooke left in 1833. After a lapse of years, Zenas, the son 
of Thomas, succeeded to the deacon's office which he still holds. Thus the 
family has been prominent in the church. It has also been prominent in 
town affairs, two of the sons and six of the grandsons of Samuel Slader 
having represented their town or district in cither branch of the Legislature. 
Another son, Samuel, was first postmaster in town and held the ofiice nearly 
thirty years. The ch. of Samuel Slader were : I., Mehitable, m. Joshua 




^ 




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yy/lYy<^<n^yS ^y^!^CC4^^^^'l 



SLADEE. 267 

Booth of Lempster — ch., 1, Alfred; 2, Truman, m. Sophia Spencer — eh., 
(1) Emiline, m. George A. Purraont — ch., [1] Lucius A., (2) Harriet, m. 
Lucius Wright— ch., [1] Ella, [2] Charles, (3) Arvilla, m. Elkanah M. 
Alexander (see Alexander family), (4) Almond, m. Ellen Travers ; 3, Oliver, 
m. Eunice Smith — ch., (1) Silas, m. Alice Gunnison — ch., five, (2) Joshua, 
m. Mary Gunnison — ch., three; 4, Mason, m. Mary Currier — ch., (1) 
Samuel, (2) Fidelia, (3) Mary S., (4) Jennett, (5) Ellen F. II., Thomas, 
m. Hannah Holden of Groton, Mass. — ch., 1, Lucinda, m. NathanieTGrout 
(see Grout family) ; 2, Thomas, m. first Philharma Grout (see Grout family) 
— ch., (1) Patty, m. Joseph Hayward (see Hayward family), (2) Betsey, d. 
young, (3) Philharma H., d. young; Thomas m. second Asenath Silsby 
(see Silsby family)— ch., (4) Milon H., (5) Nathaniel S., d. young, (G) 
Koswell; Thomas m. third Mrs. Hardy, d. 1865; 3, Lewis, m. Nancy Wil- 
son (see Wilson family) — ch., (1) Zenas, (2) Orville L., m. Mary L. Gray 
(see McClure family), rem. to Rutland, Vt. — ch., [I] Arthur R., b. 1856, 
[2] Henry L., [3] Mary E., b. 1868 ; 4, Mercy, b. 1790, m. Thomas 
Mitchell (see Mitchell family) ; 5 Hannah, m. Frederic Stebbins (see Steb- 
bins family) ; 6, Jesse, besides holding numerous town ofiices has represented 
his district in the State Senate, m. Nancy Finlay (see Finlay family) — ch., 
(1) Lucy, m. Warren Alden of Alstead— ch., [1] Mary E., [2] Walter 
and [3] Willie, d. young, (twins), [4] Lizzie E. L., (2) Grenville C, d. in 
Union army at Columbus, Ky., 1863, m.Eliza V. Banks — ch., [1] Carrie 
H., [2] Jesse W., [3] Mabel R., (3) Thomas, d. unm., (4) Cornelia J., m. 
Lyman Buswell (see Buswell family), (5) Nancy, d. unm., (6) Jesse F., 
rem. to New York city, (7) Samuel ; 7, Camilla, d. young ; 8, Zenas, 
deacon in Congregational Church, m. Meliutha Wilson (see Wilson family) 
— ch., (1) Anna E., b. 1823, m. D. H. Nourse (see Nourse fiimily), (2) 
Dean C, m. Finette A. Franklin — ch., (1) Anna B., residence Nebraska, 
(3) Sylvanus V., d. unm., (4) Sarah J., m. first. Smith — ch., [1] Frank, 
m. second David McDonald, residence De Sota, Nebraska — ch., [2] Mary, 
[3] RoUo, [4] Harry, and [5] Carrie, (twins), (5) Carrie D., m. Milon M. 
Warner (see Warner family), (6) Norman G., rem. to Nebraska, (7) Joseph 
W., rem. to Nebraska, (8) Charles L., rem. to Nebraska, m. Roxanna Frank- 
lin— ch., [1] Carrie M., [2] Edgar F., (9) Philetta M., (10) Mary E., d. 
young; 9, Lucina, m. Aaron Crosby of Springfield, 111. III., OHve, m. 
Darius Liscomb (see Liscomb family). IV., Sarah, d. unm. V., Mercy, 
d. unm. VI., Edwa rd, m. first Lucy Grout (see Grout family), was deacon 
in Congregational Church — ch., 1, Betsey, m. Dr. Jonathan Silsby (see 
Silsby family) ; 2, Lucy, m. Nathaniel Warner (see Warner family) ; 3, 
Sally, m. first David Thornton of Lempster (see Thornton family), m. second, 
Charles Fay, residence Lempster; 4, Edward A., rem. to Nashua, m. Almira 
S. Huntoon — ch., (1) Louisa A., (2) Ellen A., d. young; 5, Polly, d. 
young; 6, Lucinda, d. young; 7, Emeline, a teacher in Pennsylvania. 
VI., Edward, m. second Mrs. Mary Moore (see Moore family). VII., 



268 GENEALOGY. 

ZenaB, d. young. VIII., Samuel, m, Phebe Bridges (see Mitchel family) — 
ch., 1, Corinna. IX., Desire, m. James Campbell (see Campbell family). 
X., John L., ra. Ruth Stebbins (see Stebbins family) — ch., 1, Almon, d. 
young ; 2, Huron, m. first Mary A. Parker, m. second Mary M. Knights 
— ch., (1) Mary A, ; 3, Amos S., m. Elizabeth Thompson — ch., (1) Amos ; 
4, Elizabeth G., m. John S. Clark— ch., (1) Mary E., (2) Milton J., (3) 
George M., ra. Augusta Averill, (4) Calista ; 5, Samuel L., m. Mary L. 
Loomis — ch., (1) Stella M. ; 6, John M., d. unm. ; 7, Almon, m. Elizabeth 
Dolloff — ch., (1) Mary J., m. Walter Glynes — ch., [1] Lizzie Mary; 8, 
Calista R. XI., Hannah, b. 1788, m. "Winslow Copeland (see Copeland 
family), d. 1865. 

Samuel Smith came to Acworth from Ashford, Ct., in 1769, m. Mehita- 
ble Wadkins, sister of Mrs. Ephraim Keyes — ch., I., Samuel, taught the 
first school in town. He lived in Acworth only a few years, rem. to Lyme 
about 1773, where he m. first Sarah Grant and moved to Fairlee, where he 
was elected town clerk in 1780 and was yearly re-elected to that office until 
1820 — ch., 1, Jedediah; 2, Sarah, d. unm. ; 3, Grant, m. first Christianna 
Ormsby — ch., (1) Anna, d. young; m. second Esther Bartholomew — ch., 

(2) Solon G. ; m. tliird Rebecca Swift — ch., (3) Mary, d. young, (4) Mary, 
(5) Myron, (6) Harlan P., (7) an infant, d. young, (8) Newton, (9) Sheri- 
dan ; 4, Lucy, m. Alvan Hammond, was present at the Centennial, from 
Fairlee, Vt., being 89 years of age — ch., (1) Priscilla, d. unm., (2) Harriet, 

(3) Samuel L., m. Abiah Dame — ch., [1] George L., m. Marinda Emerson 
— ch., George D., [2] Lorenza D., m. Mrs. Sarah Colby— ch., Katie A. 
and Eugene C, [3] Gilman S., d. unm., [4] Nathan H., d. unm., [5] 
Elizabeth L., (4) Nathaniel K., d. unm., (5) George, d. young, (6) Alvan, 
m. Elizabeth Miles; 5, Samuel, d. unm. ; 6, Anna, d. young. I., Samuel, 
m. second Mrs. Asa Davis (see Graham family). II., Mehitable. III., 
Jedediah, m. first Anna Gustin of Marlow, m. second Sarah Webster, 
rem. to Langdon — eh., 1, Oliver ; 2, Sally ; 3, Roxy ; 4, Annie ; 5, Ransom ; 
6, Joseph ; 7, Rockwell. IV., Jerusha. V., Eli, m. Eunice Sawyer, sister 
of Nathaniel Sawyer — ch., 1, Cynthia, d. young; 2, Achsah, m. Samuel 
Clark (see Clark family) ; 3, Jerusha, killed by lightning ; 4, Elias, d. 
unm. ; 5, Eunice, and 6, Anna (twins) ; 6, Anna, d. young. VI., Edward, 
m. Polly Bryant, sister of John Bryant (see Moore family), rem. to Orford 
— ch., 1, Ransom; 2, Roswell ; 3, Samuel; 4, Mindweil ; 5, Stillman ; 0, 
Gardiner; 7, Charles. VII., Ransom, m. Lettice Markham (see Markham 
family), rem. to Genesee, N. Y. VIII., Olive, b. Nov. 29, 17G9, third 
child b. in Acworth, m. Dewey. 

William, David, Reuben, and Martiia Smith, all of whom lived in 
Acworth, were of the third gen. in this country. David Smith, their grand- 
father, came from Ireland to Londonderry and afterwards s. in New Boston. 
He and one of his neighbors were once attacked by seven Indian.s, the neigh- 
bor was soon wounded, and three of the Indians proceeded to bind him, 






, C^JD > 




i 



SMITH. 269 

while the remaining four fell upon Smith, who bravely defended himself, and 
nearly killed one of the savages by striking him with a gun which he had 
wrenched from his hands. Ho was speedily overcome and bound, and load- 
ing him with their plunder they started for Canada. He, however, liberated 
himself and his companion during the first night and escaped. He was the 
father of nineteen children by two wives, of whom David was the father of 
those who s. in Acworth. Martha, m. Asa Sargent (see Sargent family), 
Another sister, m. Benjamin Poland, who came to Acworth from New Bos- 
ton about 1800 — ch., I., John. II., Benjamin. Mr. P. rem. to Langdon. 
David, m. Eleaner Giddings, daughter of Joseph Giddings of New Boston — 
ch., I., David, m. Ruth Whittemore, rem. to New Boston — ch., 1, John ; 2, 
David; 3, Aaron; 4, Mary A. II., John, d. in the U. S. service in 1814. 
III., Joseph G., residence Unity, m. first Lucy Howe (see Howe family) — 
ch., 1, Lyma, m. Charles W. Bingham of Gilsum — ch., (1) Luella, (2) 
Charlie W., (3) Joe, (4) Nellie ; 2, Sidney, m. Lydia Abel ; 3, Joseph, m. 
Hannah Agan — ch., (1) Lucy, (2) Eraeline, (3) Ashby, (4) Thomas ; 4, 
Alonzo ; 5, Thomas, d. young; 6, Thomas J., m. Sarah Falls — ch., (1) 
Leonora; 7, David; 8, Lucy, m. Edwin 0. Smith — ch., (1) George L. ; 9, 
George, m. Sarah Fields — ch., (1) Jennie. III., Joseph G., m. second, 
Elizabeth Young (see Young family) — ch., 10, Irzanna E. ; 11, Emily, m. 
Edward L. Gates; 12, Levi A., ra. Addie Johnson — ch., (1) Freeman J. ; 
13, Freeman; 14, James F. IV., Jerry, ra. Susan Currier (see Currier 
family) — ch., 1, John; 2, Eleanor; 3, Dinsmore ; 4, Emily; 5, Adams; 6, 
Joseph ; 7, Fannie. V., Ami, m. Lydia Butler, rem. to Hillsborough — 
ch., 1, Eliza A. ; 2, John ; 3, ; 4, Ellen ; 5, Cynthia. VI., Alexan- 
der, m. first, Susan Ayres, rem. to Hillsborough — ch., 1, Dexter; 2, James; 

3, Susan M. ; 4, Jefferson, m. second, Mrs. Fannie . VII., Luke, 

m. Wealthy Ayres — eh., 1, George ; 2, Wealthy M. ; 3, Mark ; 4, Charles. 
Luke, m. second, Mrs. Sarah G. (Mayo) Sargent (see Mayo family). VIIL, 
Elizabeth, m. first, Hugh Wilson of Hillsborough — ch., 1, James; 2, David ; 
3, Eleanor ; 4, Jefferson ; 5, Mary; 6, Boseltha ; 7, Levi; m. second, Henry 
McClure (see McClure family). IX., Rufus, rem. to Hillsborough. X., 
an infant, d. young. XI., Lima, d. young. XII., Levi, became a Baptist 
minister, preached in Pittsfield, Vt., m. Amelia Morse. XIII., Francis, m. 

Smith, rem. to Rockingham. William, b. 17G8, s. in Acworth 

1796, m. Jane Montgomery (see Montgomery family) — ch., I., John, b. 
1793, rem. to Unity, m. Olive Orcutt (see Orcutt family) — ch., 1, Sophina ; 
2, William ; 3, Kilburn ; 4, Harley ; 5, Sarah J. ; 6, John G. II., Hugh, 
d. young. III., Mary, d. young. IV., Kimball, m. Angeli,a Cummings 
(see Cummings family) — ch., 1, Miles, b. 1826, m. first Lucy Lawton 
(.see Howe family) — ch., (1) Ida, m. second, Thankful Fletcher — ch., (2) 
Angle L., (3) Jennie M., residence Springfield; 2, Willard M., practiced 
dentistry at Littleton and now practices at Claremout ; 3, Ruth J., m. 
George Chapman (see Chapman family) ; 4, Melviu, m. L. Jennie Gleason, 



270 GENEALOGY, 

residence Wheaton, 111. — ch., (1) Lena J. ; 5, Azuba A., m. Charles Law- 
ton (see Lawton family) ; 6, Arabella, m. Harvey Lincoln (see Lincoln 
family). V., William, d. young. VI., Silsby, residence Parishville, St. 
Lawrence Co., N. Y., m. Sophia Cummings (see Cummings family) — ch., 
1, Emeline ; 2, Dean ; 3, Page. VII., Reuben, residence Unity, m. Nancy 
Dow— ch., 1, Sarah L. ; 2, Mary G. ; 3, George W. VIII., Clarissa, m. 
Willard Carlton (see Dean Carlton family). IX., Nehemiah M., m. Isabella 
Boyington. 

Joseph E. Smith of Gilsum s. in Acworth, 1867, m. Mary E. Liver- 
more— ch., I., John W. II., Charles F. III., Ida M. IV., Henry B. 

Hazadiah Smith came from Beverly, Mass., to Acworth, 1790, rem. to 
Ashtabula, Ohio, 1810, m. Lois Woodbury (see Zechariah Woodbury fam- 
ily^ — ch., I., Judith. II., Nabby. III., Rebecca. IV., Lydia. V., 
Hezekiah. VI., Samuel C. • 

Thomas Smith s. in Acworth, 1866, m. Almira Chase — ch., I., Ora. 
II., Norman. III., Alba. 

John M. Smith came from Hopkinton to Acworth in 1862, m. Catherine 
A. Stevens — ch., I., Georgianna. II., Martha C. 

Henry Smith came from Marlow to Acwortli, 1800, m. Rebecca Bixby 
— ch., I., Harry, m. Eunice Smith — ch., 1, Hannah, m. David Nash of 
^Istead — ch., (1) Martha. II., Edward, m. Elizabeth Beaverstock — 
ch., 1, Sarah. III., Joel, m. Judith Collins— ch., 1, Wilbur; 2, Edward 

E. ; 3, Franklin; 4, ; 5, Arthur. IV., Mindwell, m. Nehemiah 

Flint of Walpole— ch., 1, Lucy, m. Thomas Feltch — ch., (1) Augustus, 
(2) Irving. V., N. Gardiner, m. Eleanor Bignal — ch., 1, George W. 
VI., Franklin A., m. Sarah Collins — ch., 1, Electa, m. Gilman Temple; 2, 
Henry; 3, Nancy, m. Freeman Hoyt; 4, Betsey; 5, Sarah A. VII., 
Phebe, m. Hiram Hudson of Keene. 

Charles A. Snow came to Acworth from Charlestov,n, 1865, m. Susan 
0. Pond (see Pond family) — ch., I., Charles E. II., George E., d. young. 
III., Mary J. IV., William E. V., Lucy E. H. VL, Clarence L. 

Aaron W. Sparling m. Mary Bailey (see Bailey family) — ch., I., 
Marvin, d. young. II., Julia A., d. young. III., Ladoiska, m. Charles 
E. Spencer. IV., Laura E., d. young. 

Mehuman Stebbins came from Ashford, Ct., to Acworth about 1771, m. 
Hannah Keyes (see Keyes family). They were the first couple married in 
town. Every person in town was present at their marriage, which was at 
Henry Silhby's during the Sabbath service — ch., I., Elizabeth, d. young. 
II., Amos H., residence Rutland, N. Y., m. Mrs. Hannah Keyes — ch., 1, 

Cornelia, m. Munson — ch., (1) Henry, (2) Frank. Ill, Ruth, d. 

young. IV., Ruth, m. John L. Slader (see Slader family). V., Hannah, 
m. John Grout (see Grout family). VL, Mehuman, d. unm. at Berlin, Vt. 
VII., Frederic, ni. Hannah Slader (see Slader family), residence North- 
field, Vt. — ch., 1, Mary L., m. Ellis; 2, Anson, m. first Ado- 



STEBBINS— SYMONDS. 271 

line Strong — cb., (1) Eclwina; m. second Emily Strong — cli., (2) George 
A., d. young; ra. third Mrs. Maria D. Norton — oh., (3) Freddie A.; 3, 
Cornelia, ra. W. C. Woodbury (see Woodbury fomily) ; 4, Camilla F., m. 
Samuel F. Hayden of Ohio— ch., (1) George S., (2) W^illiam C; 5, Juli- 
ette E., m. Ellis of Northfield, Vt. ; 6, Amos H., m. first Louise 

Forbusb, m. second Allle Forbush — cb., (]) Jennie G., (2) Ella L., (3) 
Eda, (4) Carrie A.; 7, Orson F., m. Pamelia Baldwin — cb., (1) Freddie 
A., (2) Juliett S. VIII., Kaross, d. young. IX., Derrick, d, unm. X., 
Reynolds, m. , residence Carrolton, Ky. 

Enoch Stevens of Salem s. in Acworth, 1791, rem. to Obio in 1810, ra. 
Hannab Woodbury (see Zachariah Woodbury family) — cb., I., Martba, m. 
Dr. Benjamin Gates (see Gates family). II., Setb, drowned in tbe mill- 
pond. III., Elsie, m. Curtiss. IV., Juditb. V., Hannab, m. 

■ Burrows. VI., William, m. Burbank. VII., Virmnia. 

VIII., Rebecca. IX., Isaac. X., Hammond. XL, Cyntbia. 

William J. Stevens, a native of Salisbury, s. in Acwortb, 1865, ra. 
Cyntbia Young (see Young family) — cb., I., George W. XL, Eliza J. 
III., Harriet C, d. young. IV., Ira W. V., Hattie C. VI., Rutb E. 
VII., William H. 

Oliver Studlet b. in Wrentbam, Mass., 1788, m. Elizabeth Gould, 
daughter of William Gould of Reading, Mass., s. in Acworth, 1815, rem. 
to Lancaster, Mass., in 1843; was deacon in the Congregational Church 
while in Acworth. He was a useful man; bis influence, especially over the 
young, was strong and promotive of religion and good morals — ch., I., Fred- 
eric G., b. 1812, m. Mary E. Harmon of Portland, Me. — ch., L, George R. ; 
2, Edward A., d. unm. ; 3, Sarah A., residence Cleveland, 0. II., Warren, 
ra. Elizabeth Morton of Bristol, Me. — ch., 1, James W. ; 2, Sarah E., m. 
B. F. Mead of New York. III., Harriet S., m. James H. Harmon of 
Portland, Me.— ch., 1, Elizabeth H., m. Charles W. Holden of Boston; 2, 
George A.; 3, Caroline M., m. Robert B. Swift of Philadelphia; 4, Charles 
H., d. young; 5, Alice B., d. young. IV., George W., d. unm. V., 
Elizabeth M., ra. William Sheer of Watertown, N. Y., residence San Fran- 
cisco — cb., 1, Theodora. VI., Otis, m. Elizabeth Cook, residence Brook- 
lyn, N. Y. — ch., 1, Thomas C; 2, Jennie, d. young; 3, John. VII., 
Sarah M., m. Charles J. Strout of G orb am. Me., residence Lancaster, Mass. 
— cb., 1, Charles 0.; 2, Frederic H., d. young; 3, George S. VIII., Hi- 
ram, m. Elvira Shorey, residence New York — cb., 1, Hattie B.; 2, George 
B. ; 3, Ella D. ; 4, Carrie L., d. young. IX., Emily, m. Charles A. Cod- 
raan of Boston, residence Thompson Station, L. I. X., Caroline, b. 1830, 
m. Charles W. Haynes of Bolton, Mass. — cb., 1, Willie 0. 

Sargent Straw, afterwards Sargent Symonds, was b. in Sandown, m. 

first, Rieliardson, s. in Acworth 1820 — cb., I., Lois, m. Stephen 

Gould of Greenfield — ch., 1, Mary M., m. Orna B. Burnham (see Burn- 
hara family) ; 2, John S., d. young; 3, Franklin K., d. young; 4, Alma 



272 GENEALOGY. 

L., d. young; 5, Harriet D., m. first James Dunbar, m. second Erastus 
Austin ; 6, Rachel A., d. young ; 7, William H., m. Nancy J. Lewis ; 8^ 
Lois A. A., d. young; 9, Cynthia M., m. Wm. Wood of Alstead ; 10, 
Henry G., d. young. II.,- Abigail, m. Capt. James Patterson of Greenfield.—^ 
III., Rachel, m. Frederic A. Dyke, their daughter Rachel S., m. John D. 
Bradford (see Bradford family). IV., Harriet, m. Willard Cram (see Cram- 
family). V.^ John S., m. Mary E. Dickey (see Dickey family) — ch., 1, 
Dean, m. Edna M. Boyce — ch., (1) Mary E. ; 2, Harriet, m. first Christo- 
pher Mc Adams — ch., (1) Hattie, m. second Charles Wheeler (see Wheeler 
family) ; 3, Almira, m. Rufus Howe (see Howe family) ; 4, John ; 5, 
Marion ; C, George ; 7, Eugene. Sargent Symonds, m. second Sarah 
Gould — ch., VI., Cynthia, m. Benj. Gregg (see Gregg family). VII., 
Samuel F., m. Mary R. Mayo (see Mayo family) — ch., 1, John F., d. unm. ; 

2, Benson, d. young; 3, Omi. VIII., Sylvester, m. Mary J. Whittemore 
— ch., 1, Frank, d. young; 2, Charles S. ; 3, Harriet S. ; 4, Irving; 5, 
Myrtle B. IX., Mary A., m. Daniel Gay (see Gay family). X., Louisa, 
m. first Cyrus Richardson — ch., 1, Sarah M., m. Francis P. Fletcher (see 
Fletcher family) ; 2, Ellen ; 3, Josephine. Louisa, m. second Horace Bus- 
well (see Buswell family). XL, Almira, m. Thomas Batchelor (see Batch- 
elor family). 

Orin Taylor s. in Acworth, m. first Charlotte M. Hayward (see Hay- 
ward family) — ch., I., Lucy. II., Sumner, m. Almira Johnson (see John- 
son family). III., Lauretta, m. Herbert Miller, residence Charlestown — 
ch., 1, Charles 0. IV., Barnet C. F., d. young, m. second, Deborah Kid- 
der — ch., v., Lura. VI., Lunette. 

Thomas Templeton, came from Francistown to Acworth in 1802, m. 
Polly Spear — ch., I., Dolly, m. Thomas Richardson, residence Topsham, Vt. 

II., Mathew, rem. to Topsham, m. ch., 1, Hannah ; 2, Mathew. 

III., Jane. IV., Peggy, m. Henry Barney, residence Windham, Vt. — ch., 
1, Polly; 2, Nancy; 3, M an oris ; 4, Pamelia. V., Polly, d. unm. VI., 
Sally, d. unm. VII., Moses, m. Tryphosa Pierce of Alstead — ch., 1, An- 
geline J. ; 2, Allen T. ; 3, Mary S. ; 4, Electa A. ; 5, Almira C. ; 6, Henry 
W. ; 7, Charles A. VIIL, Betsey, m. Willard Emery, residence Plymouth, 
Vt.— ch., 1, Charles; 2, James; 3, Moses; 4, Willard. IX., Fanny. 

Daniel, Larned, Ezekiel, Peter, Hannah, Patty, Huldah, and Esther, 
were the children of Ezekiel and Huldah Thayer of Bellingham, Mass. 
Larned and Peter Thayer, s. in Acworth, 1796, Larned, m. first Polly 
Parnel — ch., I., Joseph, m. Marinda Fenn — ch., 1, George, m. Mary 
Brewer — ch., (1) George, rem. to Danby, 111. ; 2, Lucy, m. Oscar L. Bab- 
bit of Castleton, Vt. — ch., (1) Jennie; 3, William, d. in U. S. service in . 
late war; 4, Helen, d. young. II., Ezekiel, m. Mary Atwood — ch., 1, 
Charles B., d. young; 2, Elizabeth A., m. S. J. Kelso of Ohio — ch., (1) 
Ella H., (2) Clinton, (3) Mary, (4) Amelia J., (5) Rosa L., (6) Elsie E. ; 

3, Joseph, d. young ; 4, Edward C, d. unm. ; 5, Amelia A. ; 6, James M., 



EARNED— THORNTON. 273 

d. unm. ; 7, d. young ; 8, John, d. young; 9, — ■ d. young ; 10, 

Elsie M. III., Polly, d. unm. Lakned, ni. second, Lydia Silsby (see 
Silsby family) — ch., IV., Larned, m. Serena P^ay — ch., 1, Henry, m. Sarah 
J. Allen — ch., (1) Albert L., (2) Jennie S. ; 2, Julia, m. William Kay- 
niond of Winchendon, Mass. — ch., (1) George L. V., Tthiel, d. young. 
VI., Lima, m. Harvey Howard (see Howard family). VII., Sophia, m. 
Thomas Prentiss of Alstead — ch., 1. Frederic, m. Gratia A. Chatterton — ch., 
(1) Mary S., (2) Harvey E. ; 2, Luella ; 3, Estella. VIII., Adeline, m. 
Paschal Banks of Alstead — ch., 1, Charles, d. young. Peter Thayer, m. 
Abigail Blake — ch., I., Lucy, m. first, Schuyler Parks — ch., 1, George; 2, 
Elizabeth; 3, Otis; Lucy, m. second, Vernon Palmer — ch., 4, Allen; 5, 
Adeline; 6, Henrietta. II., Nancy, m. Calvin Tucker — ch., 1, Albert; 
2, James; 3, Eliphalet; 4, John ; 5, Ellen; 6, Charles; 7, George; 8, 
Herbert. III., Fisher, m. first, Eliza Rand — ch., 1, Helen ; m. second, 
Mary Koberts — ch., 2, Mary F. ; 3 Charles; m. third, Ehoda Albree. IV., 
Warren, m. Pamelia Jackson (see Jackson family) — ch., 1, William M., 
m. IMaria INIarvin — ch., (1) Myrtie, d. young, (2) Walter, (B) Warren A. ; 
2, Erskine D., d. young ; 3, Laura E., m. Rev. S. L. Gerould of Goffstown 
— ch., (1) John H. ; 4, Leonard E. ; 5, Hiram 0., d. in army ; 6, Daniel 
J. ; 7, Annie L. ; 8, Ilattie M. ; 9, Lyman H. V., Abigail, m. Rensallaer 
Tupper — ch., 1, Charles; 2, Mary; 3, Adeline ; 4, Ellen ; 5, Emma ; B, 
John. VI., Hiildah. VIL, Peter B., m. Mary Kent— ch., 1, Harvey Kent. 
He was born in Alstead but spent his boyhood in Acworth, graduated at 
Bangor Seminary in 1847, ordained and installed pastor of the Congrega- 
tional Church in Garland, Me., in 1848, with which people he has labored up 
to the present time. VIII., Belinda, m. Jacob B. Rand — ch., 1, Herbert; 
2, Douglass; 3 George; 4, Alonzo ; 5, Nettie ; 6, Nellie. 

PiiiLO Thayer, m. Bathsheba BuUard, came from Swanzey to Acworth. 

in 1817, rem. to Chelsea, Vt., 182 ch. I. Hopewell, m. Jonas Blood 

(see Blood family). XL, Theron, m. Rebecca Whitney (see Whitney 
family) — ch., 1, Perilla ; 2, Mary ; 3, Calista ; 4, Emma ; 5, Harriet. III., 
Luther B., rem. to Pittsford Vt. 

Stephen Thornton, native of Gloucester, R. T., probably came to Ac- 
worth from Ashford, Ct., previous to 1785, m. first Elizabeth Rogers, 1783 
(see Rogers family), m. second Zilpha Haven — ch., I., Sally, m. Richard 
Clark of Langdon — ch., 1, Corinna F., m. William Logan; 2, Horace F., 
m. Caroline Bissell— ch., (1) Jane, (2) Levi, (3) Carrie, (4) Mary; 3, R. 
Hammond, m. first Lucinda Baker, m. second Oliva Dexter — ch., (1) Ste- 
phen, (2) Lucinda, (3) Abbie ; 4, Harvey T., m. first Charlotte Earl, m. 
Becond Delia Boyce— ch., (1) Martha, m. H. H. Earl— ch., [1] Etta, [2] 
Eddie, (2) Harriet, (3) Sarah, (4) Zilpha, (5) Dorcas; 5, Sumner 0., m. 
Marian White, residence Garden City, Minn. — ch., (1) Merrill M., m. 
Lavinia M. Fall, residence Minnesota — ch., [1] Harry, (2) Abbie E., (3) 
Lilly M., (4) Rose A., d. young; 6, Sarah J., m. William M. White, resi- 
35 



274 GENEALOGY. 

dence Washington County, N. Y. — ch., (1) Celicia, d. young, (2) Sophia, 
(3) Corinna, m. Hosea Pierce of New York — ch., [1] Grace A., (4) Elsie, 
(5)'Sabra, (6) Hatty, (7) Louisa, (8) Harvey, (9) Sumner, (10) Julia, (11) 
Franklin, (12) Merrill, d. young; 7, Stephen, m. Lavinia Lord, residence 
Warehouse Point, Ct. — ch., (1) Horace and three others. II., John, m. 
Lucy Corbin — ch., 1, Clement C, m. first Elsie Stevens — ch., (1) John, m. 
Helen Dudley, residence West Concord — ch., [1] Cora Bell, (2) Sarah E., 
d. unm., (3) Albert C, m. Mary E. Newell— ch., [1] Ida M., [2] Bertie. 
[3] Jennie A., residence Woodstock, Vt., (4) Stephen M., m. Annie Gilson 
of New York, where they reside, (5) George H., d. in army, (G) Clement 
C, m. Ellen M. Smith, residence Grantham, (7) Charles E; 1, Clement, 
m. second Ann Bartlen — ch., (8) Norman C, (9) Thomas J., (10) David 
A., (11) George H., (12) Benjamin F., (13) Sullivan C. ; 2, Elizabeth A., 
d. young; 3, Ann, m. first Erastus Carpenter — ch., (1) Frank, d. young, 
(2) Erastus; m. second Jonathan Lines; 4, Sabra, m. Solon Blanchard (see 
Blanchard family); 5, Milton P., m. Juha Silsby (see Silsby family) — ch., 

(1) Ellen P.,- (2) Charles M., (3) Anna. lit., Jesse Thornton, m. first 
Betsey Campbell (see Campbell family), rem. to Moretown, Vt. — ch., 1, 
Stephen C, m. Sarah Bulkeley, residence Middlesex, Vt. — ch., five; 2, 
Chastina B., m. Cyrus C. Spaulding — ch., (1) Justin, d. young, (2) El- 
vira, (3) Justin L., m. Ada Styles, (4) Jesse T., residence Bloomington, 
111.; 3, George A., m. first Nancy Ashley — ch., (1) Nancy J., m. Charles 
Dutton; m. second Eliza M. Bulkeley — ch., (2) Lizzie; 4, Zilpha H., m. 
Marvin F. Silsby (see Silsby family) ; 5, Samantha J., m. Moses Davis, 
residence Lempster — ch., (1) Julia A., m. George Heard of Lempster, 

(2) Cornelia J., d. young, (3) George E. III., Jesse m. second Lorinda 
Carpenter — ch., 6, Sylvester, d. young; 7, Nancy A., m. G. H. Crossett. 
III., Jesse m. third Phebe Moxon. IV., Baptist, d. unm. V., Stephen, 
m. Peggy Wallace (see Wallace family) — ch.; 1, Solon; 2, Sumner; 3, 
Chastina; 4, John. VI., Dorcas, m. Edward Woodbury (see Woodbury 
family). VII., Ariel. VIII., Calvin. IX., David, m. Sally Slader (see 
Slader family) — ch., 1, Solon, m. first Malanca Bryant, m. second Cordelia 
Tilden— ch., (1) Charles S., (2) Hattie T. ; 2, George, m. first Mary E. 
Thrasher — ch., (1) Alice; m. second Anna A. Maun — ch., (2) George A., 

(3) Frank E., (4) David, (5) Mary E., (6) Helen L., (7) Jennie M. ; 3, 
Orson H., m. Mary L. Maynard— ch., (1) Orson L., (2) Edward A., (3) 
Frank E., (4) Julia W., (5) Mary E. ; 4, Charles, m. Caroline Luce; 5, 
Sarah E. ; 6, Mary E., m. Charles E. Fay— ch., (1) Edward A., (2) Al- 
bert T. ; 7, Edward, m. Georgianna Maynard; 8, Martha, m. Carlos C. 
Wellman — ch., 1, Frank E. X., Lucy, m. John Keyes (see Keyes family). 
XI., Elizabeth, d. young. 

DuREN Tinker of Lyme, Ct., s. in Acworth in 1802, afterwards rem. to 
Marlow, m. first Polly Lanphier — ch., I., Ilichard, m. Orphah Gale, of 
whose children Willard m. Emily George and s. in Acworth (^ee George 



TINKER— TURNER. 275 

family) — cb., (1) Delphine L. II., Betsey, m. Kawson Angler (see Angler 
family). Duken m. second Betsey Woodbury (see Woodbury family) — ch., 
III., Mary, d. young. IV., Dureu. V., Nancy. 

Owen Tract, an emigrant from Ireland, m. Theulah Willard, s. in Ac- 
■wortb, 1787, d. in 1816 — cb., I., Jobn, m. Jemima Welcb, rem. to tbe 
West — cb., 1, Lucinda; 2, Susan; 3, Lestina; 4, Theulab; 5, Owen, 6, 
Omar; 7, George. II., Polly, m. Jobn Spaulding. III., Betsey, m. Isaac 
Guild, residence Lowell — cb., 1, George F., ra. first Mary A. Barnett — cb., 
(1) George B. ; m. second Ada 3Iarsb — cb., (2) Cbarles M., d. young, resi- 
dence Arlington, Mass.; 2, Cbarles M., d. unm. in California; B, Caroline 
E., m. Cbarles F. Livingston, residence Mancbester — cb., (1) Emma Y., d, 
young, (2) Frank C, (3) Edward G., d. young; 4, Henry C, m. Lucy M. 
Sawyer of Lowell, residence Lowell — cb., (1) Henry T., (2) Albert S., (3) 
Tbomas G. ; 5, Emily B., m. James T. Fisber, residence Jamaica Plains, 
Mass. — cb., (1) Herbert G., (2) Artbur L., d. young; 6, Isaac 0., m. Mary 
J. Paul, residence Lynn, Mass. — ch., (1) Irving T., (2) Sydney P.; 7, Al- 
bert D., m. Marion F. Grinnell — cb., (1) Cbarles G., (2) Carra F., residence 
Chicago, 111. IV., Phebe. V., Huldah, d. unm. VI., Joel, m. Maria 
Pettengill (see Pettengill family) — ch., 1, Homer D. C, m. Ellen M. Rob- 
inson (see Robinson family); 2, Austin W., m. Eliza A. Thurston; 3, Jobn 
C, m. Catherine A., Cloxton — cb., (1) Elizabeth M. ; 4, Joel B., m. Joseph- 
ine L. Neal (see Neal family) ; 5, Helen M., m. Dwight Smith of Lempster 
— ch., (1) Freddie A., (2) Willie, (3) Alva D.; 6, Lucian N. 

Retire Trask of Beverly s. in Acwortb, 1793, rem. to Ohio, 1810, m. 
Lydia Foster (see Foster family) — ch., I., Retire. II., Benjamin. III., 
Lydia. IV., Hannah. V., Amy. 

Francis S. Trow, son of William and Hepzibah Trow, s. in Acworth, 
1858, m. Pamelia M. Davis— cb., L, Helen A. II., Ella J. III., Fred 
B. IV., Martha A. V., Mary E. VI., Frankie E. VII., Susie W. 

Joel Turner of Mendon, Mass., s. in Acwortb previous to 1793, m. 
Eunice Rawson — ch., I., Olive, m. Joel Angler (see Angler family). 
II., Deborah, m. Alpheus Crosby of Francistown. III., Levi, m. Delia 
Currier (see Currier family) — cb., 1, Eunice, ra. Jobn Leavitt; 2, Delia, 
m. Elijah Chase of Claremont; 3, Levi C, like most Acwortb boys who 
have obtained an education, be assisted himself by teaching, beginning in his 
sixteenth year with a school of sixty scholars. He fitted for College mostly 
at Claremont, to which place bis father had removed; entered Dartmouth 
College in 1825, and removed to Union College in 1827; after graduating, 
attended tbe law school at Schenectady, N. Y., was admitted to the bar. 
He m. a daughter of Robert Campbell, Esq., of Cooperstown and entered 
into pai'tnership with bis father-in-law in 1830. His time here was divided 
between the duties of his profession, speech-making, and newspaper corres- 
pondence. He was admitted to tbe bar of tbe United States Superior 
Court at Washington in 1836; in 1838 made a tour in Europe; opened 



276 GENEALOGY. 

a law office in CleA'^eland, Ohio, in 1839, writing at the same time for the 
" Cleveland Herald ; " in 1848 became one of the editors and proprietors of 
the " Cincinnati Gazette ; " sold his interest in the paper in 1851, receiv- 
ing an appointment in the Treasury Department in Washington. After 
spending the winter of 1852-3 at Key West, Florida, he returned to Coop- 
erstown and held the office of County Judge for about eight years, at the 
same time corresponding with several leading newspapers, and editing a 
paper himself. In 1862 he received the appointment of Judge Advocate of 
the War Department, with the rank of Brig. Gen., which office he held 
until his death in March, 18G7. 4, Nancy, m. Geo. Barney of St. Johns- 
bury; 5, Lemuel, d. young. lY., Joel, m. Malison Orcutt (see Orcutt 
family) — ch., 1, Relief; 2, Crosby; 3, Abigail, d. unm. ; 4, William; 5, 
Mary; 6, Charles. V., Polly, m. Orange Hart, rem. to New York. VI., 
Nancy, m. David Swallow of Weston. 

Ezra Vinton came from Townsend, Mass., to Acworth, 1804, with his 
son John C, who m. Mary J. Stevens — ch., I., George. 

Jeduthan Waldo s. in Acworth in 1817, m. Lucy Markham (see Mark- 
ham family) — ch., I., Edward T. II., Jerusha. III., Seth Spencer. 

Thomas Wallace emigrated from Coleraine, Antrim Co., Ireland, to 
Londonderry, N. H., 172G, m. Jean Wallace, whose acquaintance he formed 
on shipboard. After the birth of their eight children they rem. to Bedford, 
being the eighth family in town, Joseph Wallace, their son, s. in Acworth 
in 1797— ch., I., Thomas. IL, Margaret. III., Mary A. IV., Susan. 
v., Martha. Jesse Wallace, son of John, second son of Thomas Wallace, 
came from Bedford to Acworth 1819, m. Betsey Lyon — ch., I., Calvin, m. 
Emily Spaulding (see Lincoln family). II., Harvey D., m. Lucina Ingalla 
(see Ingalls family) — ch., 1, Eugene C. ; 2, Ada L. III., Freeman, m. 
Mary E. Bixby — ch., 1, Charlie A. William, third son of Thomas Wallace, 
m. Ann Scoby, s. in Merrimac — ch., Joseph, James, David, John P., Adam, 
Jane, Ann, and Sally ; Joseph, m. Sally Mclntyre and s. in Vermont ; 

David, m. Janet Wallace, residence Merrimac; Jane, m. Hadley of 

Dunbarton ; Sally, m. John McAffi^e of GofFstown ; John P., m. Jane Orr, 
residence a little while in Acworth ; James, b. 1773, s. in Acworth 1797 or 
1798, m. Martha Nesmith (see Nesmith family) — ch., I., Nesmith, d. young. 
II. , Cranmore, graduated at Dartmouth College 1824; taught at New 
Ipswich, Chelmsford, Marblehead, and Boston, Mass. ; rem. to Cheraw, S. C, 
1830, and taught five years; was ordained deacon in the Protestant Episco- 
pal (y'hurch, 183G, and not long after a Presbyter ; was Hector of St. John's 
Church, lierkeloy, S. C, and of St. Stephen's Church, Charleston ; m. Juliette 
Farwell ; d. 18(10, much lamented, having spent an active and useful life. 
III., Maria, d young. IV., Ann, m. Lucius Parmalee of Vermont; of their 
six ch. two are living, Edward C, civil engineer, and commissioner of deeds, 
Central City, Colorado, and Martha F. who m. Edward Wells of Burlington, 
Vt. v., Electa, m. E. S. Gage, residence for a time in Acworth, rem. to 




^l(yp^2£/} 'yyyu/mz:£y 



WALLACE. 277 

Iowa — ch., 1, Cranmore W. ; 2, Theodore S. VI., John P., m. Mary 
Dodge, d. in Reading, Mass., 1836. VIIL, William V., m. Maria Keen, 
residence E. Braintree, Mass. — ch., six. VIII., Rusina, d. unm. IX., 
Velina, d. young, a twin with Rusina. X., James, d. young. XI., Velina, 
a twin with James, has been for the last ten years connected with Ladies 
BoardingSchools in North Granville, N. Y., and West Brattleboro, Vt., 
winning for herself an enviable reputation. XII., Daniel R., d. at Water- 
bury, Vt., 1857. XIII., Mary M., m. Dr. J. P. Connor who d. in Astoria, 
L. I., m. second William H. Woodward, who is also dead, residence. Provi- 
dence, R. I. Adam, m. Martha McClure (see McClure family) — ch., I., 
Caroline, m. John P. Davis (see Davis family). II., John. III., William, 
d. unm. IV., Margaret. V., Thomas. VI., Milton. VII., Orr. VIIL, 
Othniel. 

Mathew, James, Martha, and Agnes were the children of Robert Wal- 
lace, who emigrated from Scotland to Ireland, and from thence to London- 
derry, N. H., previous to 1750. A daughter of Mathew m. Daniel Camp- 
bell (see Campbell family). Martha, m. William Mitchell (see Mitchell 
family). Agnes, m. Alexander Houston (see Houston family). James s. in 
Acworth, 1775, m. Margaret Archibald (see Archibald family) — ch., I., 
George, b. 1776, m. Harriet Menough, residence Cleveland — ch., 1, James 
W., m. Adeline Hanchett — ch., (1) George, m. Cassie McKisson — ch., 
[1] James, [2] Etta, [3] William, (2) Hiram, m. Marianna Means — ch., 
[1] Adaline R., (3) Mary E., (4) Warner, (5) Joseph, d. young, (C) 
Leonard C, (7) Margaret S. H. ; 2, George Y., m. Ellen Reynolds — ch., 
(1) William, m. Miss Grant — ch., one, (2) James, m. Henrietta Snyder, d. 
from wounds received at the battle of Fredericksburg, (3) George Y., m. 
Miss Belden, residence Omaha City ; 3, Perkins, m. Rebecca Reynolds — 
ch., (1) Harmon, d. young, (2) George, (3) Maria, (4) Emma, m. Isaac 

Connard, (5) Harriet, m. Ballard, (6) Cora; 4, Emeline. II., 

Robert, ra. Rebecca Menough, rem. to Ohio — ch., 1, Sabrina, m. A. C. 
Stewart — ch., seven, 2, Caroline, m. A. P. Paine — ch., two, 3, John S., 
residence Chicago, m. first Harriet E. Bevins — ch., (1) Thera, m. N. B. 
Rapply — ch., one, John S., m. second Sarah Rich — ch., (2) Frances, m. 
third Celia Whipple — ch., (3) John S. ; 4, Harriet A., m. J. M. Buel — 
ch., four, 5, Jane, m. George Stanley, M. D. — ch., five, residence Iowa; 6, 
Robert W., m. Mrs. Briggs — ch., five, 7, Adaline A., m. Henry A. Smith 
— ch., six, residence Mich. III., Jennie, m. Noah Page — ch., 1, Wallace, 
d. young ; 2 Louisa ; 3,' Margaret, d. young ; 4, Rebecca ; 5, Jane ; 6, Mar- 
garet A., d. young; 7, Clarissa A. ; 8, Noah B., m. Delia E. Thompson — ~ 
ch., (1) Carrie A. IV., John, d. in Texas. V., Anna, m. Hezekiah King 
(see King family). VI., James, m. Betsey King (see King family) — ch., 1, 
Emeline, m. John Currier of Langdon — ch., (1) Orson, m. Ellen Smith ; (2) 
Frances, In. Harvey 1)ickey (see Picke/ family); 2, James D., m. Sophia 
O'Brien, residence New York city — ch., (1) Elizabeth A., m. H. Roddy — 



278 GENEALOGY. 

ch., [1] George W., (2) George, d. unm., (3) Emeline, m. W. W. Meade 

— ch., [l] Emma, [2] William, [3] Charles, (4) William J., m. 

Kearns — ch., [1] William, [2] Edward, (5) James W., m. Miss Coleman, 
residence Brooklyn ; 3, Samuel K., d. young ; 4, Joseph F., m. Calista Dart, 
residence Marlow — ch., (1) Emraarvy, m. Albert Sterling — ch., [1] Frederic, 
(2) James B., d. unm., (3) Oscar, d, unm. ; 5, William W., d. in Ohio, m. 
Mary Morrison (see Liscomb family) — ch., (1) Henry, (2) Emma ; 6, George 
A., m. Clarinda Whitney (see Whitney family) — ch,, (1) Julianna, (2) 
George, (3) Sumner; 7, Betsey, m. Sylvester Reed (see Reed family). 
VII., William, m. Mrs. Polly C. 'Wallace. VIII., Peggy, d. young. IX., 
Peggy, m. Joseph Finlay (see Finlay family). X., Nancy K., m. Stephen 
Thornton (see Thornton family). XL, Jonathan, d, young. 

Robert Walker, a native of New Boston, s. in Acworth, 1801, m. 
Deborah Woodbury (see Woodbury family) — ch., I., Asa, m. Betsey Mathew- 
Bon (see Mathewson family), residence Barnard, Vt. — ch., 1, John J. ; 2, 
George W. ; 3, Lydia A. ; 4, Rebecca. II., Jesse W., m. Polly White, 
residence Whitefield — ch., 1, Mary A., m. Simeon Sear; 2, R. Henry ; 3, 
Betsey J. ; 4, CaWn W. ; 5, Alice ; 6, Deborah W. ; 7, Plummer S. ; 8, 
Franklin P.; 9, Roswell M. ; 10, Luretta. III., Sally E., m. Alexander 
Walker, residence Unity — ch., 1, Horace; 2, Woodbury; 3, Louisa; 4, 
Arvilla ; 5, Angeline ; 6, Emory. IV., Betsey, m. first Kinsman Marshall 

— ch., 1, Dexter ; 2, Chester, and 3, Chauncey (twins) ; ni. second 

Thonipkins — ch., 4, Jane. V., Roswell, ra. first Florinda Clark (see Clark 
family) — ch., 1, Hammond, m. Phebe Walker — ch., (1) Florinda, residence 
Claremont ; 2, Willard C, residence Montpelier, m. Laura Clark (see Clark 
■family) ; 3, Paraelia A. ; 4, George ; 5, Martha J. ; 6, Lyman H. V., Roswell, 
m. second Lydia B. McMillan — ch., 7, Sarah M. ; 8, Flora T. ; 9, Roswell. 

Daniel C. Walker moved from Springfield to Acworth, m'. Eliza A. 
Eaton (see Eaton family) — ch., I., Luella S., d. young. II., Edgar D. 

John Warner, native of Ipswich, Mass., m. Mary Marden of Portsmouth, 
in 1775 — ch., Susie, d. young ; James M. ; John, m. first Susan Orr, m. 
second Jane Humphry ; Daniel, m. Lucy Gregg ; Betsey, d. young ; Sallt/, 
d. unm. 1858; Betsey, m. first Morrison, second Wilson; Joseph, d. ; 
Stephen, mortally wounded in a naval action iu 1812, near Halifax, was the 
second officer of the vessel ; Nancy, ra. Samuel Johnson — ch., William (see 
Johnson family), William, lost overboard at Sumatra from a vessel which he 
commanded; Nathaniel; Stanforth ; Mary, m. Guy Spencer, d. 1834 — 
ch., 1, J. Warner; 2, Elizabeth, m. John Dinsmore, residence Alstead ; 
Martha, m. first Brown, m. second Smith; Susan, m. Thomas Rogers (see 
Rogers family). James M. (see Rev. Dr. Wright's letter), m. Patty Grout 
(see Grout family), s. in Acworth about 1795 — ch., I., Daniel J., m. 
Marietta Cram (see Cram family), d. 1868 — ch., 1, Frances H., m. Oliver 
Dodge— ch., (1) Edward S. ; 2, J. Marden ; 3, Edward D. ; 4, Leavitt. 
II., George M., m. Sarah H., daughter of Rev. Joseph Merrill — ch., 1, 




f/ 




c^^^ "^^y^^' 



^ 



WARNER— WARREN. 279 

Ellen M., m. Chapman — ch., (1) Nellie; 2, George E., m. . Nathan- 
iel, s. in Acworth, 1805, m. Lucy Slader (see Slador family) — ch., 1., Pamelia 
G., m. Rev. Lyman White — ch., 1, Mary ; 2, Carrie A. W. II., Milon M., 
m. Caroline D. Slader (see Slader family). III., Mary A. S., m. John 
Blanchard (see Blanehard family). Stanforth, m. Maria Kenyon — ch., 
I., Henry. II., Jane, d. unra. III., Franklin, d. unm. IV., Orlando. 
V. George, d. a prisoner of war at Atlanta. 

William Warner, cousin of John War7ier, m. Betsey M. Finlay (see 
Finlay family) — ch., L, Barnet C, ra. Clarissa Blanchard (see Blanchard 
family) — ch., 1, Clara; 2, Frank. II., Benjamin M., m., Frances Dins- 
more — ch., 1, Benjamin. III., Hugh, m. Susan Millikin — ch., 1, Willie; 
2, Minnie E., d. young; 3, Susie B., d. young; 4, Lillie F. Daniel W^ar- 
NER, brother of William, m. Betsey Keyes (see Keyes family) — ch., I., 
Lucius, d. young. II., Charles. III., Daniel. IV., Elizabeth. V., Cur- 
tiss. VI., John. 

Moses Warren, b. in Northboro, Mass., 1760, enlisted in the Continental 
army 1776, remaining till near the close of the war, s. in Acworth, 1782 or 
1783, rem. to Warrensville, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, of which his son Daniel was 
the first settler, having removed in 1808, following his brotherin-law Ebene- 
zer Duty of Acworth, who subsequently s. in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Mr. 
VVarren accompanied his son to Ohio, was pleased with the country, returned 
for his family, walking the whole distance, 600 miles. Being hindered he did 
not emigrate till 1815, when he and his family started for Ohio with a yoke 
of oxen, four horses and two wagons. They reached their destination after 
seven weeks' journeying. Here at the age of 55 he commenced pioneer life 
anew, building the first frame house in the township of his adojDtion. He, 
however, lived to see the comforts of civilization multiplied around him. 
Died at the age of 91. His wife Priscilla Nourse, sister of Daniel Nourse 
(see Nourse family), lived to the age of 78 — ch., I., Sarah, m. Ebenezcr 
Duty'of Acworth, rem. to Ohio — ch., 1, Andrew W. ; 2, Daniel W. ; 3, 
Persis ; 4, Louisa; 5, Lovisa; 6, Sarah A.; 7, Mandana; 8, Chloe. 11. 
Daniel, the first settler in Warrensville, Ohio, m. Margaret Prentiss of 
Langdon — ch., 1, Hiram V. ; 2, Lovina; 3, Prentiss; 4, W^illiam H. ; 5, 
Moses N. ; 6, Paulina A.; 7, James M.; 8, Othello V. ; 9, Julietta C. 
III., Persis. IV., Priscilla, m. Robert Prentiss of Langdon — ch., 1, 
Sophrona ; 2, Warren; 3, Almira; 4, Alphonzo ; 5, Lovisa; 6, Robert ; 
7, Moses; 8, Margaret. V., Chloe. VI., Mary L. VII., Anna W., m. 
Samuel M. Prentiss of Warrensville — ch., 1, Elizabeth; 2, Loren ; 3, Lucy; 

4, Solon; 5, Sophia; 6, Laura; 7, Chauncey ; 8, Martha; 9, Mary; 10, 
Perry; 11, George; 12, Susan; 13, Emily. VIII., Moses, m. Sarah N. 
Hubbell— ch., 1, Milan H ; 2, Leora H. ; 3, William M. ; 4, Lucelia C. ; 

5, Priscilla S. ; 6, Rolan N. ; 7, Mary L. IX., William. 

Joseph Ware of Winchester s. in Acworth, 1812, m. Susannali Nichols 
— eh., I., Susan M., m. Isaac Kent, residence Alstead — ch., 1, Elisha E. ; 



280 GENEALOGY. 

2, Mary ; 3, Ellen ; 4, Samuel E. II., Ziba, d. young. III., d. 

young. IV., Pamelia, m. Anthony Walker of Alstead — ch., 1, Josephine; 
2, Joana; 3, Melvin ; 4, Abby. V., Joseph, rn. jMrs. Philinda Hardy — 
ch., 1, Harriet A. VI., Hannah C, m. Henry King, residence Boston — 
ch., 1, Walter; 2, Arthur. VII., George H. P., m. Addie Spencer, resi- 
dence Alstead. Hannah Ware, sister of Josepu, was probably the most 
benevolent person that ever lived in Acworth, giving much of her earnings 
to charitable objects. 

Dr. Abraham Watson s. in Acworth previous to 1788, m. Lucy — ch., 
I., Lucy. II., Sophia. 

The maternal grandfather of Samuel and Eadey Watts was John Cockle, 
an Englishman by birth. When only sixteen he was seized in a ball-room 
by a press-gang and put into the army. Although foiled in their attempts 
to make him take the required oath, they nevertheless enrolled him, and in 
process of time he was sent as a soldier to Boston previous to the Revolu- 
tionary war. He deserted, and married, and when the war broke out, he 
left his wife and child and enlisted in the American army. Preferring a 
soldier's life he remained in the army nine years after the war ceased. John 
Watts, m. Polly, daughter of John Cockle, and two of his ch., Samuel 
and Eadey s. in Acworth. Samuel Watts, m. Susan Williams — ch., 
I., Mary M., m. George W. Neal (see Neal family). II., George F. 
IlL, Charles E. IV., Martha E. V., Emma A. VI., Stella E. VII., 
Flora A. Eadey, ra. Aaron Brown (see Brown family). 

Jeremiah Weatherhead s. in Acworth, 1795 — ch., I., Levi, m. Betsey 
Ritchie — ch., 1, Freeman; 2, Lucinda; 3, James; 4, Nancy J. ; m. second 
Mary Cobb — ch., Sybil, d. unm. 

William Welch, native of New Brunswick, m. Ellen Thompson, s. in 
Acworth, 1854 — ch., I., Josephine, m. George D. Woolcot of Claremont — 
ch., 1, Etta M. ; 2, George. II., Henrietta. III., Arthur W. IV., Wil- 
liam F. v., Victoria A. VI., George M. VII., Wilmot W. VIII., 
Alma C, and IX., Elmer A. (twins). 

Rev. Jubilee Wellman, m. Theda Grout (see Grout family), although 
not a native of Acworth, resided in town from early childhood, and as hia 
character was formed here, he deserves a notice. He was born, 1793, 
in what is now Gill, Mass. He is first remembered in Acworth as living 
in the family of Moses Warren. While a lad he resided in the family 
of Nathaniel Grout. He was a wild, reckless youth, but was converted in 
one of those powerful revivals under Mr. Cooke's ministry, and became an 
earnest follower of Jesus. He graduated at Bangor Seminary in 1823 ; was 
ordained pastor at Frankfort, Me., in 1824, and dismissed in 1826; was in- 
stalled pastor at Warner, N. H., in 1827, and after a very successful min- 
istry was dismissed in 1837. He was installed at Westminster, Vt., in 
1838, dismissed 1842 ; preached two years alternately at Plymouth and 
Cavendish, Vt., afterwards for five years at Cavendish alone ; was installed 




^. ^z. 



WELLMAN— WHITNEY. 281 

at LoweU. Vt., in IST.O, where he continued until his death in 1855. llev. 
Pliny H White in his sketch of the Congregational Church in Westminster, 
Vt., published in the Congregational Quarterly, January, 18G9, says : "As 
a preacher, Mr. Wellman was always acceptable and instructive, sometimes 
earnest and impressive, and occasionally even eloquent. He could be plain 
and pointed without being personal and giving offense. His prayers were 
appropriate, never tedious, and often accompanied with tears. He was 
dignified and gentlemanly in appearance, but readily adapted himself to all 
his parishioners however humble. His people both loved and reverenced 
him." 

S. Sprague West s. in Acworth previous to 1791, m. Phebe Carleton 
(see Carleton family) — ch., I., Catherine. 11., Royal, b. 1793, taught 
school in Trenton, Utica, and Salina, N. Y., was licensed to preach in 
1834; preached at Enfield, Walworth, Churchville, and Fairport, N. Y. ; 
afterwards became a Tract Missionary in New York City, d. 1852. III., 
Jane. IV., Sophia. V., Thomas. VI., Thomas. VII., Eliza. VIII., 
Keziah. IX., Francis. 

John W. Wheeler, m. Nancy J. Buswell (see Buswell family) — ch., 
I , Charles, m. Mrs. Harriet (Symonds) McAdama (see Symonds family) — 
ch., 1, Warren D. II., James. III., Herman. IV., John C. V., Alma. 
VI., J. Edgar. VII., Mary E. VIII., Elmer E. 

David H. Whipple, native of Bow, b. 1815, m. Clarissa Saltmarsh, b. 
1811, m. 1841, s. in Acworth, 1867— ch., I., Sarah E. II., Sanford. 
III., George E., d. in U. S. service at Fort McClary, Me., 1863. IV., 
Annie A., d. unm. V., Edgar L. VI., Minnie B. 

Horace Whipple' a native of Dalton, s. in Acworth 1865, m. Sarah 
Bingham— ch., I., William M. II., Henry R., m. Maria S. Cram. III., 
Benjamin H. IV., Susan M. V., Adaline I. 

Asa Whitcomb of Alstead, m. Rebecca Ball, sister of Samuel Ball (see 
Ball family) — ch., Thomas, Betsey, Asa, Rebecca, Abigail, and Hannah. 
Asa, a soldier in the war of 1812, s. in Acworth 1818, m. first Olive Vickery 
— ch., I., Olive, m. Harvey Huntley of Lempster — ch., 1, Henry, m. Isabel 
Parker — ch., (1) W. Addison ; 2, Olive, m. Irving Baker of Marlow — ch., 
(1) Cora, (2) Flora B. ; 3, Minerva A. II., Abigail. Asa, m. second 
Phebe Beckwith, granddaughter of Rev. E. Beckwith of Marlow. 

Joseph Whitnet of Pepperell, Mass., was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war, was at the battle of Bunker Hill, m. Mary Woods of Pepperell, s. in 
Acworth 1807 — ch., I., Polly, m. Phineas Parker, rem. to Vt. — ch., 1, 
Mary A. ; 2. Marinda ; 3, Charles; 4, John; 5, Caroline; 6, Fanny; 7, 
Sally ; 8 Phineas. II., Emma, m. Elijah Dickerman, rem. to Chelsea, Vt. 
— ch., 1, Mary; 2, Amy; 3, Elijah; 4, Enoch; 5, Rebecca; 6, Edmund; 
7, Lewis; 8, Sally. III., Joseph, d. young. IV., Joseph D., m. Susan 
Drury of Alstead, rem. to Brookfield, Vt. — ch., 1, Susan; 2, Pamelia;.3, 
Rebecca ; 4, Sarah A.; 5, Eliza ; 6, Leonard. , V., Isaac W., m. Polly Blood 
36 



282 GENEALOGY. 

(see Lemuel Blood family), rem. to Vt. — ch., 1, Mary J. ; 2, Lucy; 3, 
Sally ; 4, Dianna ; 5, Arvilla ; 6, Jackson ; 7, Alva ; 8, Janet. VI., John, 
m. Polly Lewis, rem, to Chelsea, Vt. — ch., 1, Mary; 2, Emma; 3, Eliza; 
4, Amanda ; 5, Lewis. VII., Leonard, m. Philinda Blood (see Blood 
family) — ch., 1, Philinda M., m. Josiah Guillow of Gilsum — ch., (1) Melvin, 
(2) Lyman E., (3) Lester, (4) Edward J., (5) Ellen, (6) Frederic, (7) 
Albert, (8) Charles, (9) Jennie, (10) Albra, (11) Emma; 2, Clarinda M., 
m. George Wallace (see Wallace family) ; 3, Parthena A., m. Howard S. 
Colburn of Alstead ; 4, Caroline N., m. George Nash of Gilsnm — ch., (1) 
Nancy J., (2) Edgar H. ; 5, Elisha S., m. Jane M. Howard; 6, George L., 
m. Lucetta E. Miller; 7, Horace L. ; 8, Abbie J. VIII., Rebecca, m. Theron 
Thayer, (see Philo Thayer family). IX., David m. Lydia C. Chase — ch., 
1, Mary A., m. Cutler S. Angler of Langdon. X., Edmund, d. unm. 
XI., Alvah, d. unm. in Mich, 

Nathaniel Whitney s. in Acworth, 1782, m. Joanna Hayward (see 
Hayward family) — ch., I., Lydia. IT., Nathaniel, rem. to Ohio. 

F. WiLLOUGHBY WiLLARD, m. Deborah Blood in 1772 — ch., I., Elias. 
II., James. III., Roswell. IV., Philena. 

John Williams, m. Sally Colburn, came from Dracut, Mass., to Acworth, 
1785 — ch., I., John, m. first Margaret Henry, m. second Mary Henry — 
ch., 1, Irving, d. unm. ; 2, Orison J., m. Mrs. Smith. II., Sally d. unm. 
III., Colburn, m. Aseneth Tenney — ch., 1, Darlena ; 2, Gilbert; 3, Aseneth; 
4, Alfreda S. IV., Huldah, m. Ephraim Clark (see Clark family). V., 
Calvin, m. Hannah Mayo (see Mayo family) — ch., 1, Lucina D. ; 2, Lo- 
rinda; 3, Mary M. ; 4, Hannah 0. ; 5, Calvin B. ; 6, Issachar M. ; 7, Wil- 
lard A., d. young; 8, Lydia S. ; 9, Willard. VI., "Benjamin, m. Esther 
Blood. VII., Butterfield, m. Ruth Danforth— ch., 1, John M. ; 2, Sabrina; 
3, Sarah; 4, Colburn ; 5, Charles; 6, Frederic. VIIL, Bradley, m. Lydia 
Johnson — ch., 1, John R. ; 2, James. 

John Wilson, known as " little John," was the eighth child of Joseph and 
Rebecca (Kimball) Wilson. Tradition traces back his genealogy to Rev. 
John Wilson, first minister in Boston. John, m. Jane Lynn, fourth child of 
Nathaniel and Agnes (Tupper) Lynn who came from England in childhood in 
the same vessel, and were bound as servants to pay their passage, Nathaniel 
io the then minister of Boston, and Agnes to the Governor of Mass. In 
1773, with his aged father, wife, and two ch., John Wilson settled in Ac- 
worth — ch., I., Joseph, b. 1771, d. 1847, m. Jane Pinkerton of Derry — 

ch., 1, Gardiner, b. 1798, m. Martha A. ch., (1) Albert P.; 2, 

Anna McC, d. 1850; 3, Melintha, m. Deacon Zenas Slader (see Slader 
family; 4, James P., studied medicine at Castleton, Vt., practised at Fair- 
field, Ind., m. first Lucretia Oakes — ch., (1) Joseph, d. 1856, (2) John 
H., (3) Mary E., m. J. B. McCain, (4) Sarah A., m. W. F. Kumler of 
Ind. — ch., [1] Jessie, [2] Mary; 4, James P., m. second Sarah Kidd — ch., 
(5) James P. ; 5, Norman, residence Boston, m. first Caroline Dickey (see 



» WILSON. 283 

Dickey family) — ch., (1) Ann J., m. C. A. Chamberlain of Salem, 111., 

(2) Caroline M., m. Swift— ch., [1] Carrie, (3) Juliette S., (4) 

Henry M. ; 5, Norman, m. second Lucy Harris; 6, Lucinda, m. first Na- 
thaniel Polland — ch., (1) Susan, m. Hall, (2) Sarah, d. unm., (3) 

Lucretia, m. Britton ; 6, Lucinda, m. second Charles Rawson, East 

Westmoreland, Vt. — ch., (4) Isaac, m. Lucy Fuller, (5) Emma, m. Frank 
Hall of Putney, (6) Charles E. ; 7, Eliza, d. young ; 8, Betsey, m. David 
Morrison, residence Keene — ch., (1) Licetta G., b. 1834, m. G. Spaulding ; 
(2) Oscar, (3) Julia A., (4) Lauretta A., (5) Joseph G. W., (6) Lucy A., b. 
1851. II., Nathaniel, s. in Peacham, and afterwards in Cabot, Vt., m. Abi- 
gail Varnum of Dracut— ch., 1, Jennie, b. 1800, m. Reuben Atkins — ch., 
(1) Henry, (2) Leonard ; 2, Sarah C, ra. J. Whitaker ; 3, John, d. young ; 
4, Jesse, m. Sophronia White, d. 1860— ch., (1) William, b. 1835, (2) 
Joseph, (3) Freeman, (4) Sarah J., residence Cabot; 5, David, m. Abigail 
McGee— ch., (1) Eleanor A., m. J. W. Houghton, (2) Lydia G., (3) Na- 
thaniel L. ; 6, Hiram, d. young; 7, John, d. unm.; 8, Theophilus, m. 
Eosetta Lyford— ch., (1) Louisa, b. 1841, (2) Martha W., (3) Edward F., 
(4) Emma; 9, Nathaniel, m. Mirinda Dodge, residence Barre, Vt. ; 10, 
Rachel, d. unm. III., John, s. in Utica and afterwards at Forestville, 
N. Y., m. Anna McPherson of Acworth — ch,, 1, Nancy J., b. 1807, d. 
young; 2, Theophilus; 3, Caroline, m. Rev. Homer Gregg, d. 1853 — ch., 

(1) Homer, (2) Helen A. ; 4, John W., m. Eliza Lamb, d. at Sugar Grove, 
111., 1866— ch., (1) Theophilus, b. 1846, (2) Caroline, d. young, (3) Ann 
G., (4) John, d. young, (5) Jesse, a twin with John, (6) Milton, (7) Wil- 
liam, (8) Joseph ; 5, Licetta G., d. 1858. IV., Jesse, m. Mrs. Rachel Par- 
so»s. v., David, d. unm. 1853. VI., William, m. Eliza Fogerty, residence 
Thomastown, Me. — ch., 1, Nancy, b. 1808, d. 1843, m. Richard Rivers — 
ch., (1) William W., (2) Abbie, m. Archibald McCahom — ch., three, (3) 
Joseph m. Jennie Davis — ch., one, (4) Eliza, m. Joseph Bracklin — ch., 
two, (5) Joshua; 2, Jane, m. Thomas J. Ryder — ch., (1) Jane, b. 1867, 
d. 1867, (2) John T., (3) Nancy E., (4) Alice C. ; 3, Joseph m. Emeline 
T. McClellan, d. 1860 on board a vessel of which he was captain — ch., (1) 
William J., b. 1739, m. Mary L. Coburn— ch., [1] Sarah, [2] John, (2) 
Emma E., d. young, (3) George McClellan, (4) Frederic, d. young, (5) 
Frank L. ; 4, Eliza, d. unm. ; 5, Mary, m. Joshua Smalley — ch., (1) Ed- 
win S., b. 1838, (2) Thomas W., (3) Mary E., (4) Nancy J., (5) Caro- 
line J., (6) Joshua, (7) Wilson, (8) Ada, (9) Sarah (10) Alice R., (H) 
Frederic, d. young, (12) John H. ; 6, Theophilus, d. 1839; 7, Mitchell, m. 
Henrietta O'Neil, d. 1857— ch., (1) Alden, (2) Charles, (3) Lysander; 
8, Richard (twin with Mitchell), m. Lucy A. Robinson — ch., (1) Fullerton, 

(2) Eliza, (3) Anna; 9, Jesse, m. Harriet Young — ch., (1) Wilbur, (2) 
Frederic, (3) Lizzie; 10, Charles, m.. Harriet Robinson — ch., (1) Aldana, 
(2) Frank. VII., Theophilus, graduated at Dartmouth College, 1811, in- 
tending to study for the ministry, but ill-health deterred him. Ho received 



^ 



284 ^^ GENEALOGY. 

the degree of M. D., 1814, began to practice at Cazenovig, with flattering 
prospects, when he died in 1815 from the effects of poison taken by mistake. 
He m. Grace Staples — ch., 1, Wilford L., who studied theology and 
preached a few years; his children were (1) Thomas, (2) Stewart, (3) Wil- 
ford, VIII., Samuel, m. Sally Nesmith (see Nesmith family), s. in the 
edge of Charlestown, d. 1857 at ' 6o t fcagc Hill, 0. His wife still survives 
him and was present at the centennial, having come from College Hill though 
eighty-two years of age and unable to walk except upon crutches. Though 
not a native of town she came to reside here in 1800 with her sister Mrs. 
James Wallace having been left an orphan. She succeeded her aunt Peggy 
McOlure as the " tailoress of the town;" she was also an efficient nurse 
during the prevalence of the ''spotted fever," beginning with the first case 
Jenny Grier ; she thus had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the 
families and the histoiy of the town. Her age, her opportunities, and her 
retentive memory combined have rendered her a most valuable assistant in 
gathering up the traditions of " ye olden time," and the reminiscences she was 
able to narrate added much to the interest of the centennial. Her likeness 
inserted was taken on her seventy-fifth birthday. She was m. to Samuel 
Wilson, 1814, the first m. in Acworth by Rev. Mr. Cooke — ch., 1, Theophi- 
lus, m. Lydia F. Haddock. He was a pioneer settler of Jay Co., Ind. ; has 
been State Senator in Ind. ; now resides at Avondale, 0. — ch., (1) Mary C, 
d. young, (2) Morris H. ; 2, James M., d. young; 3, David M., studied 
Divinity ; was fourteen years a missionary in Syria, now preaches at Athens, 
Tenn., m. Emiline Tomlinson— ch., (1) Mary T., (2) Samuel T. ; 4, Sarah 
A., d. 1868 ; 5, Jesse P., m. Minerva llufFnor. He was killed on picket 
duty in Tenn. ; Capt. of the 4th Reg. Ohio Vol. Cavalry, 1862; 6, Mary 
J.; taught eighteen years in Ohio Female College, m. Rev. George W. Pyle 
— ch., (1) Theodore W., b. 1844, now teaching in Lagrange, Oregon, (2) 
George W., graduated at West Point, d. at Fort Union, New Mexico, 1868, 
a Lieut. U. S. A. ; 7, Harriet N. for many years a teacher; 8, Joseph G., 
graduated at Marietta College, is one of the Judges of the Supreme Court ot 
Oregon, m. Lizzie Miller — ch., (1) Gardiner M., d. young, (2) Albert D., 
d. young, (3) Genevieve, (4) Grace. IX., Nancy, m. Edward Porter, resi 
dence Ann Arbor, Mich. — ch., 1, Nathaniel, b. 1817 and d. 1852, m 
Eliza McLindon ; 2, Cornelia; 3, David W. ; 4, Martha S. ; 5, Theophilus; 
6, Nancy A. ; 7, Mary C. 

John Wilson (known as "big John"), son of Benjamin and Margaret 
Wilson, came from Londonderry, Ireland, to Londonderry, N H. He was 
a triplet, and at his birth was put in a quart measure, m. first Margaret 
McFarland and s. in Acworth, 1774, d. 1811 — ch, I., Hannah, b. 1754, 
d. 1775. II., Margaret. III., Rebecca. IV., Jane, d. 1811. V., Eliza- 
beth, m. James Rogers (see Rogers family). VI., Sarah. VII., Jolin, m 
Polly McCoy — ch., 1, Nancy, b. 1793, m. Lewis Slader (see Slader family) , 
2, Margaret, m. Daniel Nourse (see Nourse family) ; 3, John, m. first Laura 



WILSON— WOOD. 285 



Hayward (see Hayward family), rem. to Genesee Co., N. Y., 1822— ch., 
(1) John P., b. 1823, residence California, (2) Solon H., residence Colum- 
bus Ohio, (3) Simeon B., d. young, (4) Mary L., (5) Hiram, (G) Milan, d. 
youno-, (7) Emeline F., (8) Lucius S., b. 1833, residence California; 3, 
John? m. second Mrs. Nancy Hood of New York ; 4, Hannah, m. Ralph 
Keyes (see Keyes family) ; 5, Gilman, ra. Nancy Cooper, residence Ohio— 
ch., (1) Mary, (2) Elizabeth; 6, Andrew, m. first Lurancy Thomas— ch., 
(1)' Harriet, b. 1830, (2) "Nancy, (3) Andrew, (4) Hiram P., (5) Abbie A. 
(6) John W., (7) Solan N., (8) Mary J., (9) Martha L. ; 6, Andrew, m. 
second Nancy Thomas, residence Ohio ; 7, William, m. first Pamelia Hart- 
son— ch., (1) Charles, d. young, (2) William M., (3) Leonard, m. second 
Mary Wa<rner— ch., (4) Mary, (5) Elizabeth, (6) Hannah, (7), Eliza J., 
(8) John W., (9) Caroline R, (10) Hester A., (11) Sarah F., (12) Benja- 
min S., b. 1859; 8, Daniel, m. Margaret A. Palmer— ch., (1) Benjamin, b. 
1837, (2) Mary E., (3) Charles, (4) James A., (5) John W., (6) Margaret 
E (7) Henry B (8) Daniel J., (9) Florence L., b. 1859 ; 9, Hiram, m. 
first Hannah M. Hubbard-ch., (1) John J., b. 1840, (2) Lydia M., (3) 
Mary E., (4) George S., b. 1847, m. second Mary Holland ; 10, Benjamin, 
m Elizabeth A. Abbott, residence Towa— ch., (1) Boylston S., (2) Frances 
J (3) Caroline E., (4) Solon N., (5) Mary A., (6) Flora A., (7) Lizzie L. ; 
11 Charles, m. first Hannah Andrews— ch., (1) John M., residence Iowa, 
(2) Mary E., (3) Hannah A., (4) Chester M., (5) Margaret E., residence 
Ohio • 11, Charles, m. second Ann Brice ; 12, Mary, d. unm. ; 13, Oscar, d. 
Youn.^ • 14 Austin K., b. 1812, m. Marinda O'lcott of New York, residence 
Pendleton,'N. Y.-ch., (1) Harriet, (2) Charles W., (3) Mary, (4) Reuben, 
(5) Emma VII., John, m. second Mrs. Sarah R. Stone, rem. to Ohio— 
ch 1, James K, b. 1816 ; 2, Joseph D. ; 3, Eliza ; 4, Samuel ; 5, Sarah ; 
6, Eleanor J. All except Samuel live in Ohio, and all are married and 

have large families, 

J. W^iLLiAM C. Woods, native of Prussia, s. in Acworth, 1803, d. 1847, 
m. Nancy Priest— ch., L, Betsey, m. Moses Chase (see Chase family). II., 
Nancy A., m., Pelatiah Clark (see Eph. Clark family). 

■ James A. Wood, native of Alstead, s. in Acworth, , m. Mary E. 

Bowers (see Bowers family)-ch., I., Helen E. II., Charles B., d. young. 
III., George Albert. 

Benjamin P. Wood, native of Alstead, s. in Acworth, 1859, m. Matilda 

E. Carter— ch., I., Ella E. 

Alvan Wood, son of Jesse Wood, b. in Berlin, Mass, 1 . 92, s. m 
Acworth, m. Betsey Prentiss (see PrentLss family), rem. to Vermont— ch., 

1 and II., twins. Orange and Orrin. I., Orange, m. Rachel S. Morse (see 
Morse family)— ch., 1, Lucy A., m. Jerome C. Clough (see Clough family); 

2 Georcre 0., d. unm ; 3, Lizzie J. ; 4, Olive R. IL, Orrin, m. Jane Keyes 
(see iJyes family)-ch., I., Albert A. ; 2, William ; 3, Emma J. ; 4, Ella 
D. ; 0, Duanc; 6, Josephine S. HI., Luther P., m. Edna Town— ch., 1, 



286 



GENEALOGY. 



Ida J. ; 2, Dan ; 3, Cora ; 4, Duane, residence Barre, Vt. IV., Elizabeth, 
m. John Adams, residence Groton, Vt. — ch., four, 

Zachariaii Woodbury came to Acworth from Salem, 1790. His sister 
Hannah, who was then widow Raymond, came in 1795. His ancestors for 
three generations bore the name of William ; the first William, bis great 
grandfather, came from Wales to Beverly, Mass., in 1628 ; the second Wil- 
liam was pilot on board of the fleet in the expedition against Port Royal, 
1704 ; the third William, m. Martha Woodbury, d.'aged 93. Zachariah, m. 
Hannah Corning (aunt of Warren Corning), d. aged 85— ch., I., William, 
served three years in the Revolutionary war, m. Hannah Kelly and s. in 
Acworth, 1789— ch., 1, Samuel, graduated at Dartmouth College in 1810, 
studied divinity, was s. at North Yarmouth, m. Mary Lawrence, sister of 
Abbott Lawrence of Groton, Mass. — ch., (1) Sarah E., m. Rev. David Fos- 
dick of Groton, Mass.— ch., [1] Samuel, [2] Mary, [3] George, [4] Charles, 
[5] Frederic, [6] David, d. young, [7] Rose, [8] Lucy, [9] Sarah W. ; 2, 
Martha, m. Thomas Montgomery (see Montgomery family) ; 3, Ruth, m. 
Henry Silsby (see Silsby family) ; 4, Polly, m. Robert MeClure (see McClure 
family) ; 5, Ira, m. Betsey Reed, rem. to Ohio, 1816— ch., (1) Samuel R., 
m. Margaret B. Horton— ch., [1] Edith, [2] George, [3] Amy, (2) Maria 
L., m. first John E. Johnson— ch., [1] Stephen H., [2] Maria; (2) Maria L., 
m. second Peter Martlett— ch., [1] Ira A., [2] James H., [3] Louisa L., [4] 
Samuel P., [5] Richard, [6] Frances M., [7] Reginald G., [8] Harriet M., 
[9] Andrew J., (3) Saturuia A., d. young, (4) Phebe L., m. Lyman B. 
Stilson— ch.; [1] Betsey L., [2] Theresa L., d. young, [3] Cordelia J., [4] 
Mary M., [5] Elmina, [6] Sylvester, [7] Henrietta, [8] Eveline, [9] Eliza, 
[10] Lueina, (5) Theresa L., m. first Russell H. Spicer — ch., [1] Mercy, [2] 
Asher, [3] Frank, [4] Mary, [5] Ella, [6] Phebe, (6) Cordelia J., m. 
John Hymes— ch., [1] Mary, [2] Harriet, [3] Henry, [4] James, [5] 
Nicholas, [G] Anthony, [7] William, [8] Cordelia, [9] Louisa, [10] Frank, 
(7) Corinda A., m. A. D. Pinkerton— ch., [1] Cornelia W., [2] Charles 
W., [3] Carrie, [4] Frederic, [5] Kate, (8) Cornelia R., m. John Field— 
ch., [1] Frank, [2] Flora, [3] Charles, [4] Carrie, [5] Lillian, [G] Eva, 
(9) Surah M., m. Alexander R. Eckcrt— ch., [1] Sarah A. ; 6, Amos, m. 
first Mary F. Carlton (see Oliver Carlton family) residence Claremont— 
ch., (1) William 0. C, m. Polly A. Spencer, (2) Mary L., m. John W. 
Spencer— ch., [1] Sarah A., d. young, [2] Mary J., [3] George W., [4] 
Edward D., d. young, [5] Nellie E., [G] Ada L., [7] Charles A., [8] 
Hattie A., d. young, [9] Albert R., d. young, (3) Hannah K., m. Samuel 
H.Raymington— ch., [1] Isabella J., [2] Angle E., [3] Jane E., [4] William 
H., [5] Louis M., (4) Eliza C, d. unm., (5) Amos 0., m. first Eliza Clark -^ 
— ch., [1] George W., m. second Deborah Wilcox— ch., -[2] Hattie G., 
(6) Amelia J., m. E. G. Cummings (see Cummings family), (7) Angeline ^ 
H., m. first Philander Dickey (see Dickey family), m. second Samuel W. 
Jones of New York city, (8) Sarah ; 6, Amos, m. second Louisa Chandler 




~Xp(>OuJ-ik^---y~-e^ 7/y 




WOODBURY. 287 

— ch., (9) James C, d. young, (10) Samuel I.; 7, Lydia; 8, Judith, m. 
Horace Howe (see Howe family). II,, Lois, ra. Hezekiah Smith (see Smith 
family). III., Zachariah, m. Hannah Vinnen, s. in Acworth in 1789, rem. 
to Ashtabula Co., 0., in 1810 — ch., 1, Wheeler, m. Maria Pease; 2, 
Nehemiah, m. Esther Beckwith, daughter of Jason B. ; 3, William, m. 
Polly Hall; 4, Lois, m. Edmund Blood; 5, Sally, m. Nathan Blood (see 
Blood family) ; 6, Betsey ; 7, Abigail ; 8, Hannah ; 9, Susanna ; 10, Daniel. 
IV., Andrew built the first mill where G. F. Nichols now lives on Cold 
River, also a nail factory where 0. 11. Kemp lives. He m. first Buth Ray- 
mond, m. second Polly Carleton (see Carleton family), rem. to Ohio in 1815 
— ch., 1, Zachariah; 2, Ruth ; 3, Hiram ; 4, Harriet ; 5, Abigail ; 6, Caro- 
line, v., Hannah, m. Enoch Stevens (see Stevens family). VI., Rebecca, 
m. William Grout (see Grout family). VII., Martha, d. young. VIII., 
Judith, m. Stephen Yeomans — ch., 1, Joseph; 2, Timothy; 3, Andrew; 4, 
Stephen. 

Henrv Woodbury, b. 1753, rem. from Salem to Acworth, 1788, was the 
son of Ebenezer Woodbury, the son of the second William mentioned in the 
preceding genealogy, whose ancestors came from Wales, in 1 1)28, and s. in 
Beverly, Mass. His brothers and sisters were Ann, Hannah, Ebenezer, 
Elizabeth, John, Hezekiah, Lydia, Abigail, Mary, and Andrew, m. Eunice 
Woodbury, 1775 — ch., I., Eunice, m. Benjamin Chatterton (see Chatterton 
family). II., Jonathan, d. young. III., Ebenezer, m. Abigail Himes 
(see Himes family), rem. to Middlesex, Vt. — ch., 1, Theda; 2, Henry; 8, 
Mindwell ; 4, Roswell ; 5, Joseph; 6, Polly, IV., Lydia, m. Thomas 
Clark (see Clark family). V., Jesse, m. Lucy Critchet, residence Unity. 
VI., Betsey, m. Durin Tinker (see Tinker family). VII., Edward, m, 
Dorcas Thornton (see Thornton family), 1812 — ch,, 1, William C, m. Cor- 
nelia Stebbins (see Stebbins family)— ch., (1) Mary E., (2) Willie S. ; 2, 
Charles M., m. Louisa G. Currier (see Graham family), 1842 — ch., (1) 
Charles E., (2) William L„ (3) Ellen L. ; 3, Mason M., m. Mrs. Betsey M. 
Archer (see Graham family), 1865 — ch., (1) Edward; 4, Isaac, m. Mary G. 
Brooks (see Brooks family), 1853 ; 5, Jacob, m. Maria M. Davis (see Davis 
family), 1855 — ch., (I) Frank E., (2) and (3) twins, William M., d. young, 
Charles I. VIII. , John, m. Hannah Davis (see Davis family), 1817 — ch., 
1, Mary, m. Willis Straw, rem. to Dalton — ch., (1) Amelia M., (2) Angelia 
L., (3) Alice A., (4) John W., (5) Grace A., d. young, (6) Luke E., d, 
young, (7) Lydia W. ; 2, Luke ; 3, Jonathan, m. Jerusha L. Stevens of 
Claremonf; 4, Hiram ; 5, Lois, ra. Timothy Carwin — ch., (1) Dora A., d. 
young; G, Lydia, d. unm, ; 7, Dorcas, m. Nathaniel Wheeler — ch., (1) 
Clarence, (2) Frank, (3) Lois ; 8, Edward ; 9, H. Martin, d. in army. IX., 
Dolly, d. unm. X., Hannah. XI., Lovina. XII., Fanny, 

W^iLLiAM C. Woodbury, son of Curtis Woodbury, was b. at Beverly, 
Mass., 1768, m. first Rebecca Dodge of Beverly, 1792, s. in Acworth, 1827, 
and rem. to Francestown, 1837 — ch., I., Rebecca, b. 1794, m. George Groce 



288 GENEALOGY. 

of Beverly. IT., William, d, young. III., Sally, d. young. IV., Wil- 
liam, m. Lydia Morse, d. in Manchester. 1852. V., Hannah, d. young. 
He m. second Patty Dodge of Wenham, Mass. — ch., VI., Ebenezer, b. 1806, 
m. Lydia Holbrook, d. 1 868. VII., Henry, b. 1808, m. Hannah Davidson 
(see Davidson family) — ch., 1, Adoniram J., b. 1833, m. Harriet E. Far- 
rino^ton — ch., (1) Henry J., (2) Nellie A., residence Manchester; 2, Sallie 
D., residence Denver, Colorado; 3, Eri D., graduated at Dartmouth Col- 
lege, 1863; enlisted in the 1st Vermont Cavalry the same year ; captured 
a confederate standard in Sheridan's " twenty miles fight," for which he re- 
ceived a Congressional medal ; was twice wounded ; at the close of the war 
was Captain by brevet ; is now professor in the Episcopal Academy at 
Cheshire, Conn. ; 4, Samuel S., residence Colorado; 5, Roger W., m. Emma 
G. York. At the commencement of the war enlisted in the 3d N. H. Vols. ; 
was ordinance officer of the 2d Division 10th Army Corps ; was promoted to 
Captain; is now editor of the "Colorado Tribune," at Denver — ch., (1) 
Frank S. ; 6, Hannah E., d. young; 7, Mary A., d. young. VIII., 
Adoniram J., m. Elizabeth Stratton. IX., Samuel H., m. Sally L. David- 
son (see Davidson family), d. in Texas, 1840. X'., Perlinda K., m. Joseph 
E. Burpee of Cambridgeport, Mass. XL, Joseph L., d. young. 
* Joseph Woodbury was a native of Sterling, Mass., his father having rem. 
there from Beverly, Mass., m. Lavinia Wet)er, and s. in Acworth, 1830 — 
ch., I., Lavinia, b. in Beverly, m. first Richard Colburn — ch., 1, Orissa, m. 
Stockwell Parker; 2, Benjamin, m. Sophia Balkcom; m. second Henry L. 
Eaton, residence Candia. IL, Willam W., d. young. III., Joseph, d. 
young. IV., Mary. V., Joseph F., fitted for College at New Hampton, 
graduated at Waterville, Me., studied medicine, now residing at Atlanta, 

Ga., m. first Emory. VI., Albert M., m. Lucy Wadleigh, residence 

Elmore, Vt. — ch., 1, Charles A., killed in the army; 2, Urban A., lost an 
arm in the war; 3, Herbert; 4, Ida ; 5, Carrie. VII., William W., fitted 
for college at New Hampton, graduated at Waterville, Me., 1840. " His 
college course was marked by great religious fidelity, and by indefatigable 
zeal in study, and the records of the Institution show him to have been the 
first scholar in his class." On leaving college he was for three years prin- 
cipal of the High School in Augusta, Me., and for five years was at the head 
of the Bath High School. In 1848 he rem. to Suffield, Conn., and became 
principal of the Connecticut Literary Institution, where he remained until 
his death in 1856, m. Clemelia Hallet — ch., 1, William H. ; 2, Emma; 3, 
Edward D. ; 4, Irving. VIII., Winthrop H., m. Mary Wadleigh, residence 
Boston — ch., 1, Adelaide ; 2, Helen ; 3, Luella, d. young ; 4, Eugene, d. 
young. IX., Edwin C, ra. Chastina Jenks, residence Winchester, Mass. — ■ 
ch., 1, Edwin E. ; 2, Chastina; 3 and 4, twins, 3, Charles E., and 4, Eva- 
line. X., Melissa A. P., ra. Roswell George (see George family). 

James Young came to Acworth from Salisbury, 1813, m. Eliza 

ch., I., Cynthia, m. W. J. Stevens (see Stevens family). II., Elizabeth, 



YOUNG— YOUNGMAN. 289 

m. Dea. Joseph Sniitb (see David Smith family). III., Daniel, m. Laura 
Mason, residence Hill — ch., 1, Charles; 2, Shuah P.; 3, Oscar; 4, 
^.ugusta. IV., Phebe. V., Milton, m. first Jane Avery — ch., 1, Eliza, 
m. second Eliza Ward, residence Jamaica Plain, Mass. VI., Judith J., 
m. Milton Mason of Hill — ch., 1, Eliza J.; 2, Frank; 3, Harriet; 4, 
Luther; o, Sarah; 6, Lucetta ; 7, Emma. VIT., James A., m. Nancy J. 
Burke, residence Boston — ch., 1, Louisa. VIII., Emily, m. James R. 
Adams of Hill — ch., 1, Warner; 2, Ellen A. ; 3, Susan ; 4, Martha. IX., 
George W., m. Sally A. Cummings (see Cummings family) — ch., 1, Ar- 
thera G. X., Sarab, m. Charles G. Livingston of Unity — ch., 1, Mary; 2, 
Katie ; 3, Abncr. 

George F. Youngman, native of Lempster, m. Catherine S. McKeen 
(see McKeen family), s. in Acworth, 1865 — ch., I., Etta. 



Appendix. 



EEGISTER OF HOMESTEADS. 

A LIST OF THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS OF LOTS AND RESIDENT OWNERS 0! 
THE HOMESTEADS IN ACWORTH. 



[Tho names of the original proprietors are in small capitals, and those of the 

present owners in italics. A star (*) prefixed indicates 

another homestead on the same lot.] 



RANGE No. 1, 



Lot No. 1, Ephraim Adams. 
West part, Samuel Druiy, 

Wynian Cheever. 
East part, Thomas Hardy, 

Eleb Hardy, 

Uninhabited. 

Lot No. 2, James Nevins. 

West part, James Miller, 
Moses Miller, 
Samuel Waldo, 
Leonard Whitney, 
Edwin Green, 
Seneca Sweet, 
Moses Moidton. 

East part, Rufus Hardy, 
p]leb Hardy, 
Liberty R. Hardy. 

Lot No. 3, James Nevins, 
David Copeland, 
Jonathan Knowlton, 
Jeremiah Weatherhead, 
Levi Weatherhead, 
Samuel King, 
Benjamin S. King, 
Asa M. Fisher. 

Lot No. 4, Ebenezer Bridge, 
Thomas Spear, 
Thomas Dickey, 



Ebenezer Place, 
David Buss, 
George P. Dickey. 

Lots Nos. 5 and 6. 

J. MiLTIMORE, 

Hugh Hodge, 
Capt. James Dickey, 
Joseph Dickey, 
John F. Dickey, 
James A. Dickey, 
Solon S. King. 

Lot No. 7, Vryling Stoddard, 
James Rodgers, 
Jonathan Rodgers, 
Thomas Rodgers, 
Horace K. Rugg. 

Lot No. 8, Theodore Atkinson, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 9, Nath. Butterfield, 
John Wilson, 
Joseph Wilson, 
Zenas Slader, 
Norman G. Slader, 
Paul Cummings. 

Lot No. 10, William Thompson. 
South part, Benjamin Dickey, 



EEGISTEE OF HOMESTEADS. 



291 



Zenas Slacler, 
Nathaniel Poland, 
Ransom Severance, 
J. and H. Barney, 

Bowman, 

Joseph G. Silsby, 
James W. Fiske, 
George Lamb. 
North part, William Bodgers, 
Timothy Putnam, 
Samuel Finlay, 
Francis S. Trow. 



Lot No. 11, 



J. Wentworth, 
Hugh Finlay, 
Joseph Finlay, 
William Warner, 
Hugh F. Warner, 
Barnet F. Warner. 



Lot No. 12, 
Lot No. 13, 

Lot No. 14, 
West part, 

Lot No. 15, 

Lot No. 16, 
Lot No. 17, 
Lot No. 18, 



RANGE No. 2. 



Lot No. 1, A. Clark, 

Calvin Williams, 
Samuel Waldo, 
Buttevfield Williams, 
David Whitney, 
Daniel Peasley. 

Lot No. 2, Col. Greeley, 

Isaac Foster, Jr., 
James Prentice, 
Robert Huntley, 
Joseph Whitney, 
Leonard Whitney, 
David Whitney, 
Stephen Miller, 
Henry Heard, Jr., 
Jehial Gowing, 
William Minard, 
Alba M. Bragg, 
Schl-house, Dist. No.l2. 

Lot No. 3, Vryling Stoddard, 
Lieut. James Dickey, 
Mrs. Anna Dickey, 
John F. Dickey, 
Jonathan H. Dickey, 
Saviuel King, 
James A. Dickey. 

Lot No. 4, S. C. Gould, 

Samuel Shorey, 
Thomas Templeton, 



JoNA. Blanchard, 
Frederic Keyes. 

W^M. Thompson, 
James Pease, 
Joseph Chatterton. 

Timothy Dustin. 
Joseph Chatterton. 

Benjamin Botterfield, 
Thomas Davis, 
Samuel W. Blodgett. 

William Robey, 

Non-resident. 

S. Fitch, 
Non-resident. 

S. Fitch, 
Non-resident. 



Moses Templeton, 
George M. Gowen. 



Lot No. 5, Eph. Adams, 

William Duncan, 
James Davidson, 
Samuel McKeen, 
Pelatiah Clark, 
John W. Clark, 
Henry Heard, Jr. 

Lot No. 6, A. Blanchard, 

Col. John Duncan, 
Theron Duncan, 
Freeinan E. Brachett. 



Reuben Killicut. 
John Rodgers, 
John Humphrey, 
John Hayward, 
Allen Hayward, 
Joseph Brackett, 
John S. Osgood. 
John Wallace, 
Capt. Joseph Gregg, 
William Warner, 
Daniel Warner, 
Mrs. Betsey Warner. 
Lots Nos. 8 and 9, 

Benjamin Butterfield, 
Samuel Campbell, 
John Dickey, 



Lot No. 7 
W^est part, 



East part, 



292 



APPENDIX. 



Adam Dickey, 
James Dinsiiiore, 
John riayward, 
Orrin Taylor, 
Mrs Deborah A. Taylor. 

Lot No. 10, Stephen Powers, 
John McMurpby, 
Robert McCoy, 
Robert McDole, 
Alanson C. Brown, 
Levi H. Griffin, 
Saw-mill on this lot, 
Thomas Ball. 

Lot No. 11, S. Powers, 

Jonas Keyes, 

William Clark. 
South part, Ebenezer Lancaster, 

John Lancaster, 

James Rawson, 

Thomas Ball. 
North part, Joshua Ijancaster, 

Harvey Lancaster, 

John Moore, 

Rohert Finlay, 

John Finlay, 

Schl house, Dist. No. 3. 

Lot No, 12, James Rodgers, 

Capt. Josepli Finlay, 
Samuel Finlay, Esq., 
Hugh Finlay, 
Aaron S. Finlay. 



Lot No. 13, Jonathan Blanch ard, 
Capt. William Keyos, 
John Keyes, 
Jesse Slader. 

Lot No. 14, S. Barron, 

Samuel Smith, Jr., 
William Clark, 
Stephen Thornton, 
John Grout. 

Lot No. 15, Jonathan Hardy, 
Edward Keyes, 
Ebenezer Place, 
Uninhabited. 

Lot No. 16, N. Butterfield, 
Andrew Gront, 
Darius J. Eaton. 

Lot No. 17, S. Fitch, 

Stephen Keyes, 
G. Keyes, 
Russell Adams, 
James Youn^, 
William J. Stevens, 
*Riehard Clifford, 
Ricliard Clifford, Jr., 
*Eli Smith, 
*Samuel Clark, 
Daniel Clark. 

Lot No. 18, S. Fitch, 

Non-resident. 



RANGE No. 3 



Lot No. 1, Samuel French. 

West side, Phineas lilood, 
William Boyd, 
Ephraim Clark, 
Philo Thayer, 
""^Robert Morrison, 
Solon D. Morrison, 
Charles M. Fish, 
Edwin Green. 

East side, Alexander McCoUom, 
William Anderson, 
Stephen R. Chapin, 
Samuel Osgood, 
Thomas A. Hardy, 
Benjamin S. King. 

Lot No. 2, J. MiLTIMORE, 



Lot No. 3, 
South side, 



Jolm Perkins, 
Asa Coburn, 
William Prentice, 
Abram ^loore, 
Lemuel Blood, 
Leonard Whitney, 
Daniel Peasley, 
Isaac Newton. 

Alexander Clark. 

Samuel Prentice, 

Durren Tinker, 

John Osgood, 

John Osgood, Jr., 

Joseph Osgood, 

Alary and Sarah Osgood. 



REGISTER OF HOMESTEADS. 



293 



North side, Samuel McKeen, 
Epbraim Clark. 

Lot No. 4, 0. Farwell, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 5, Ei'ii. Adams, 

Stephen Thornton, 
James WaUace, Jr., 
Thomas Murdough, 
Barnet C. Finlay, 
Nehemiah Hayward, 
Joseph Provence. 

Lot No. 6, 0. Farwet-l, 
James WaUace, 
James WaUace, Jr., 
Joseph F. Wallace, 
Sylvester A. Reed. 

Lots Nos. 7 and 8, 

Benjamin French, 
Lieut. John Rodgers, 
Capt. John Rodgers, 
George March, 
Henry Gleason, 
AJonzo A. Mdthetoson, 
Sclil-house, Dist. No. 2, 

* Jonathan Rodgers, 

* Stephen Warner, 
John Davidson. 

Lot No. 9, Jonathan Parker, 
William Farwell, Jr., 
John Wilson, 
John Wilson, Jr., 
Aaron Nelson, 
John L. Slader, 

Harriraan, 

Horace Collier, 
Iddo Church. 

Lot No. 10, Jonathan Hardy, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 11, James Rodgers, 
Nonresident. 

Lot No. 12, William Robey. 

West end, Solomon Bigalow. 

Capt. Daniel Mack, 
Jacob Hayward, 
Jacob Hayward, Jr., 



Joseph Hayward. 
East end, Moses Lancaster, 
William Lancaster, 
James Davidson, 
Amos J. Lock, 
Ebenezer Buswell. 

Lot No. 13, William Story, 
Joel Bigalow, 
James Campbell, Esq., 
John L. Slader, 
William Lancaster, 
Uninhabited. 

Lot No. 14, Reuben Killicut, 
Elijah Parker, 
Walter Himes, 
Warren Corning, 
Joshua G. Silsbey, 
Grist mill once on this lot. 
Jesse Wallace, 
Timothy 0' Larry, 
Lauriston Keyes. 

Lot No. 15, Augustus Blanchard, 
David Cross, 
Eliduran Stowell, 
Lasell Silsby, 
Charles Perkins, 
Ira A. Wheeler, 
Daniel Hart, 
Lauriston Keyes. 

Lot No. 16, William Pierce, 
Henry Woodbury, 
John Wood1)ury, 
Jonathan Woodbury, 
Edward Woodbuiy, 
Daniel G. Walker, 
Schl house, Dist. No. 4. 

Lot No. 17, 0. Farwell, 
Eli Smith, 
Samuel Clark, 
Uninhabited. 



Lot No. 18 



Maj. Wentworth, 
Benjamin Webster, 
John Orcutt, 
Daniel Orcutt, 
Zephaniah Johnson, 
George P. Johnson. 



294 



APPENDIX. 



RANGE No. 4 



Lot No. 1, James McGregore. 

South part, Archibald McCollum, 
Laruard Thayer, 
Larnard Thayer, Jr., 
Harvey Howard. 

North part, Ezekiel Thayer, 
Warren Thayer, 
Samuel Waits, 
*Joha Williams. 

Lot No. 2, S. Barron, 
James Miller, 
John Williams, 
Orison J. Williams, 
Ezra Tarbell, 
Frederic Tarbell, 
Jubal B. Buck, 
*Colburn Williams. 



Lot No. 3, 



Lot No. 4, 



A. Clark, 
Hugh McKeen, 
Joseph Ball, 
Ebenezer 6. Stevens, 
Jehial Gowing, 
Dustin G. Osgood, 
Elijah Huntley. 

Stoddard, Jr., 



Isaac Butterfield^ 
Lewis Brighara, 
Uninhabited. 

Lot No. 5, John Parker, 
Stephen Warner, 
John Prentice, 
Thomas Ball, 
Thomas Murdough, 
John F. D. Murdough, 
George W. Leighton. 

Lot No. 6, S. Cummins, 

William Addison, 
Uninhabited. 



Lot No. 7, 
West part. 



John Hardy. 
Robert Davidson, 
John Davidson, 
Joshua G. Silsby, 
Marvin F. Silsby, 
Windsor Gleason, 
John Flayward, 
TJwmas B. Hayward. 



Lot No. 8, James Davidson, 
Robert Davidson, 
Augustus Bradford, 
Abner Gage, 
Benjamin Kemp, 
Aaron Kemp, 
Daniel Nye, 
Iddo Church, 
Azel H Church, 
*Miss Betsey Hovey, 
Mi-s. Patty Davidson, 
Miss Fanny Bradford, 
Allen Hayward, 
Horace Whipple, 
William Whipple. 

Lot No. 9, Nathl. Garfield, 
Peter Ewens, 
*Edward Keyes, 
James Ewens, 
Peter Polley, 
Flint Polley, 
Horace Whipple. 

Lot No. 10, B. Byam, 

Mehuman Stebbins, 
Frederic Stebbins, 
"^ Thomas Dickey, 
Town fiirm, 
David Blanchard, 
Solon Blanchard. 

Lot No. 11, David Burge, 
Samuel Harper, 
Daniel Grout, Esq., 
Alexander Grout, 
Thomas Clark, 
N. B. Roundy, 
Levi Gowing, 
Joseph Hayward, 
Hiram N. Hayward, 

Lot No. 12, William Pierce, 
Samuel Harper, 
Joseph Chatterton, 
Alpheus Chatterton, 
Lyman Buswell. 

Lot No. 13, William Story, 
William Lancaster, 
Jehial Gowing, 
Sanford Mason, 



REGISTER OF HOMESTEADS. 



295 



Chapin K. Brooks, 
John P. Davis, 
Thomas McQuiggin, 
Nehemiah Hayward. 

Lot No. 14, J. Blanchard, 

Non-resident. 

Lot No. 15, N. Garfield, 
Nonresident. 

Lot No. 16, William Pierce, 
- William Clark, 



Thomas Clark, 
Uninhabited. 

Lot No. 17, 0. Farwell, 

Samuel Lufkin, 
Ezra Lufkiu, 
Charles M. Lufkin. 

Lot No. 18, Maj. Wentworth, 
Thomas Davis, 
Cotton W. Davis, 
Marquis D. Gould. 



RANGE No. 5, 



Lot No. 1, 



Benjamin French, 
Larnard Thayer, 
James Morse, 
Joseph Ware, 
Joseph Ware, Jr., 
Joseph Evans, 
Hananiah Allen, 
Daniel Peasley, 
George Hatch. 



Lot No. 2, Jonathan Pierce, 
Uninhabited. 

Lot No. 3, B. Killicut, [lot, 

Beryl Mountain on this 
Uninhabited. 



Lot No. 4, Vryling Stoddard, 
Thomas Hill, 
Joseph Markham, 
Seth Markham, 
Jeduthan Waldo, 
Joseph Thayer, 
Benjamin Nichols, 
Asa Webster, 
*Samuel McDuffie, 
Sylvester A. Reed, 
Ruel G. Bascomb, 
Dustin G. Osgood. 

Lot No. 5, J. Blanchard, 

Thomas Putnam, Esq., 
First saw and grist-mill in 

town, 
*Lewis Slader, 
Isaac Clark, 
Orville L. Slader, 
Joseph Brachett. 



Lot No. 6, J. Dustin, 

Thomas Putnam, Esq., 
Silsby Stevens, 
Elisha Parks, 
James M. Warner, 
George jM. Warner, 
3Irs. Betsey G. Stevens, 
Alexander G. Graham, 

Lot No. 7, James Bodgers, 
Joseph Webb, 
Moses Coffin, 
Daniel Nourse, 
Daniel Nourse, Jr., 
William Hayward, 
William Prentiss, 
Levi Frentiss. 

Lot No. 8, Eli Smith. 

Lot No. 9, MosES Esterbrook, 
Samuel Smith, 
Edward Smith, 
Daniel Robinson, 
Winslow Allen, 
Winshw C. Nenl, 

* Granvilk Gilmore. 

Lot No. 10, Reuben Gould, 

Dr. Benjamin C. Parker, 

Samuel Finlay, 

3Irs. Lucinda Finlay^ 

* Dawson Russell, 
Lemuel Lincoln, [ing, 
Mrs. Charlotte Spauld- 
William Prentiss, 

John P. Davis, 
George H. Chatterton, 



296 



ArPENDIX. 



William Prentiss, 
Mrs. Sarah F. Prentiss, 
*Pars()nage, 
Rev. J. L. Merrill, 
*Dr. Daniel Grout, 
John Grout, 
Rev. Pliineas Cook, 
. ' Nathaniel Warner, 
*Nathaniel Grout, 
Cliapin K. Brooks, 
Gilinan Breed, 
Dr. Edwin T. Atwood, 
Thomas M. Dickey, 
* Store, 

Hollister Archer, 
*Saniuel Slader, 
Thomas Dodpje, 
Nath'l and John Grout, 
Thomas Dickey, 
Stillinan Vilas, 
Cyrus K. Vilas, 
Aaron W. Sparling, 
Charles A. Gould, 
Luther S. Davis, 
*Samuel Slader, 
Miss Corrina Slader, 
Joseph G. Silsby, 
*Dean Carleton, 

* William Hey wood, 
John jMoore, 
John Davidson, 
Hezekiah Copeland, 
Henri/ Gould, 
*Urlin R Kemp, 
Mrs. Lusina Crosby, 
*Levi Crawford, 
3Irs. Lucy A. Moore, 
*Edward Woodbury, 
3Iason 31. Woodbury. 

Lot No. 11, Samuel King, 
Jacob Hayward, 
William Hayward, 
Barnet C Finlay, 

* Henry Silsby, Esq., 
Eliphaz Silsby, 
Levi Hayward's store, 

• Levi Hayward, 

Ithiel Siisby, 
Francis Brown, 
Willard M. Perham, 
3Irs. Susan Perham, 

* Charles A. Snow. 



Lot No. 12, Jacob Farmer, 
Julius Silsby, 
Solomon Grout, 
Samuel Silsby, 
Nathaniel Huntley, 
John Albree, 
Lemuel Lincoln, 
Joseph Albree, 
Asa Dodge, 
*Hugh Henry, 
Robert Holmes, 
Josiah Boutwell, 
Capt. Joseph Gregg, 
James Morse, 
Orange Wood, 
Granville 31itchell, 
Tannery once on this lot. 



Lot No. 13, 
West jjart. 



East end. 



J. Blanciurd. 
John Reed, 
Bezaleel Beck with, 
Jonathan H. Reed, 
Daniel Warner, 
Joseph G. Silsby, 
Benjamin P. Wood. 
*John Albree, 
Asa Partridge, 
Oliver Carlton, 
Joshua G. Silsby, 
Eliphalet Bailey, 
George Bailey. 



Lot No. 14, William Stacy, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 15, Benjamin French. 

West part, Charles Mathewson, 
Horace Mathewson, 
Charles C. Mathewson, 
Albert J. Straw, 
John F. Pao;e, 
David H. Whipple. 

East part, Amasa Mathew.-<on, 
Harvey Liscomb, 
James Raw.^on, 
Granville Mitchell, 
Isaac J. Page. 

Lot No. 16, Jonathan Gilmore, 

Lieut. Thomas McLure, 
William Lyon, 
Robert Walker, 
Rosivell Walker. 



REGISTER OF HOMESTEADS. 



297 



Lot No. 17, For First Minister, 
Capt. James McLure, 
E. Clifford, 
Royal Bailey, 
Uninhabited. 



Lot No. 18, IMaj. Wkxtwortii, 
Phineas Blood, 
Daniel Straw, 
Winslow Copeland, 
Hezekiah Copeland. 



RANGE No. 6 



Lot No. 1, Robert Adams, 

Alexander Brown, 
William Woods, 
Moses Chase, 
A. Chase, 
Pelatiah Clark, 
Uninhabited. 

Lot No. 2, J. Craige, 

Christopher Ayres, 
Benjamin Mayo, 
Alden Gee, 
Luke Nichols, 
John Buckminster, 
Americiis K. Howard. 

Lot No. 3, A. Blanchard, 

Dea. Alexander Houston, 
Alexander Houston, Jr., 
George Houston. 

Lot No. 4, J. Davidson, 

*Mariam Buckminster, 
*Truman M. Silsby, 
Ebenezer Grout, Jr., 

* Sylvester A. Reed, 

* William Osgood, 
*A. C. Field, 
George B. Field, 

*Ad7ia Keyes, 

* Union Hall, 

* Baptist Meeting-House, 
^Methodist Meet' g- House 
*Joseph Ball, 

Zia Peck, 
Mrs. Sally Peck, 
Jacob B. Richardson, 
Joseph Markham, 
Seth Markham, 
John Hayward, 
James Dinsmore, 
Pelatiah Clark, 
Henry Woodbury, 
James Bowers, 
Mrs. Nancy D. Bowers, 
James A. Wood. 



* Hannah Gates, 
Joseph S. Bowers, 
Horace Campbell, 
*John B. Hardy, 
Jason H. Boynton, 
Nathan Adams, 
*John F. Page, 
INJiss Maria Mann, 
Elliot Smith, 
*A. C. Field, 
IMrs. Lois K. Hardy, 
Porter Munroe, 
=*A. C. Field, 
John P. Davis, 
Flint Polley, 
Mrs. Cynthia Polley. 

Lot No. 5, S. Stoddard, 

Maj. Joel Angier, 
Henry R. Gray, 
John B. Hardy, 
Edward Savage, 
Mrs. Lydia Savage, 
*Sewell F. Hays, 
Henry L. Silsby, 
*Capt. Henry Coffin, 
William Mitchell, 
John Mitchell, 
Elisha Parks, Esq., 
Samuel W. Prouty, 
James Streeter, 
JSjyhraim Cummings, 
Charles B. Cummings, 
*Porter Monroe, 
Isaac Campbell, 
*James Bowers, 
Ebenezer Jones, 
Jacob B. Richardson, 
Aaron W. Sparling, 
* William F. Davis, 
Roswell Georjre, 
Eevi Barney, 
Joel Porter, 
*Store, 

George F. Nichols, 
Sylvester A. Reed, 



298 



APPENDIX. 



John F. Page, 
Israel Abbott, 
Oliver Studley, 
William F. Whitman, 
"^Oranr/e Wood, 
*AIvah W. Barney, 
A. M. Crosby, 
Elisha Parks, Esq., 
Henry 11. Gray, 
Ebenezer Jones, 
Elipbalet Parks, 
James M. Holden, 
John Dean, 
*' Nathan Adams, 
*Porter Monroe, 
*James A. Wood, 
John P. Davis, 
Jacob B. Richardson, 
Jacob F. Eichardson, 
Mrs. Sarah Peck, 
Store, 
*Saio and Grist-Mill, 

* Woqlen Factory, 
*Starc]i Factory, 
Shoe- Peg Manufactory, 
*Saw-Min, 

* School- House , District 

No. 11, 
*William Markham, 
Thomas Slader, Esq., 
Thomas Slader, Jr., 
Joseph Hayward. 

Lot No. 6, J. Blanchaed, 
Isaac Duncan, 
Bufus Brigliam, 
Daniel A. Ryder. 

Lot No. 7, Stoddard, 

Levi Stearns, 
John Brown, 
Lemuel Lincoln, 
William Prentiss, 
Harvey Lincoln. 

Lot No. 8, Amasa Lincoln, 
Tannery. 

Lot No. 9, S. Stoddard. 

West part, Lieut. Ephraim Keyes, 
Dr. Abram Watson, 
John Kimball, 
James M. Warner, 



Asa Ncvrton, 
Samuel Bradford, 
James Gowing, 
JMiss Lima Grear, 
Winslow C. Neal, 
Stephen F. Pond. 
East part, Orrin D. Wood, 
Moores Keyes, 
Nathaniel Bixby, 
Calvin D. Peck, 
Calvin Peck, 
Calvin Pond, 
Capt. Henry Coffin. 

Lot No. 10, John Hardy, 

William Heywood, 
David Montgomery, 
Charles A. Hull, 
* Ghapin K. Brooks, 
*Hugh Henry's store, 
*Sch'l-house,Dist.No.l, 
Chapin IC Brooks, 
^Charles M. Woodbury, 
Nicholas E. Sargent, 
Cha7'les M. Woodhury, 
*Gawin. Gilmore, Esq., 
Mrs. Anna Gilmore, 
"Jonathan H. Dickey, 
G. Gilmore's store, 
*John Moore, 
Gardner Brown, 
Nehemiah Hayward, 
Lieut. Ephraim Keyes, 
Amos Keyes, 
Ithiel Silsby, 
Moses Davis, 
John P. Davis, 
William McLure, 
William Hayward, 
*Lewis Brigham, 
Jonathan Hovey, 
"* William Heywood, 
John Davis, 
Miss Betsey Pinkerton, 
Mrs. Polly Place, 
John McLure, 
Misses Anna and Betsey 

McLure, 
*Ithiel Silsby, 
Dr. Lyman Brooks, 
3Irs Mary Brooks, 
*1. Silsby's store, 
*Isaac Nesmith, 



REGISTER OF HOMESTEADS. 



299 



Daniel Robinson, 
William Hayward, 
Dr. C. P. Hatch, 
Daniel J. Warner, 
Davis B. Prentiss, 
Richard Smith, 
Daniel J. Warner, 
Mrs. Maryette Warner. 

Lot No. 11, David Brown, 

Lieut. Ephraim Keyes, 
*Jamcs Wallace, 
• 3Iisses H. and F. Wood- 
bury, 
*Miss Peggy McLure, 
Mrs. Lyon, 
Adam Wallace, 
Daniel Warner, 
Henry Smith, 
Moses Davis, 
Lauriston Keyes. 



Lot No. 12, 



Ebenezer Gould, 
* Henry Silsby, Esq.', 
Lasel Silsby, 
Samuel Anderson, 
Samuel Anderson, Jr. 
David C. Anderson. 



Lot No. 13, William Thompson, 
Non-resident. 



Lot No. 14, TuoMAS Craiqe, 
Non-resident. 



Lot No. 15, Timothy Davis, 
Amos Bailey, 
Luke Putnam, 
Oliver Putnam, 
John Vinton. 

Lot No. IG, Nathaniel Garfield, 
John Bailey, 
Aaron W. Sparling. 

Lot No. 17, William Parker, 
James McLaughlin, 
William Smith, 
Kimball Smith, 
George Walker. 

Lot No. 18, William Parker, 
Araasa Keyes, 
Amos Jieed, 
Wilbra B. Reed. 



RANGE No. 7 



Lot No. 1, Robert Adams, 
Thomas Hill, 
Luke Moore, 
Flagg Moore, 
Wiliard Moore, 
Edward Savage, 
Samuel E. Mann, 
John H. Clark. 

Lot No. 2, Thomas Craige, 
Hugh McKeen, 
Paul Mason, 
Horace Mason, 
Russell D. Silsby, 
George H. Gassett, 
Mrs. Hannah Gates. 

Lot No. 3, James McGregore, 
Samuel McKeen, Jr., 
Samuel McKeen, Sen., 
George F. Youngnian, 
Truman B. Richardson, 
Joseph Richardson, 



Lot No. 4, 



Lot No. 5, 
East part. 



West part, 



Alerrill Rohie, 
*John McKeen. 

Reuben Gould, 
Elisha Dexter, 
John Grimes, 
Joel Turner, 
Joel Angier, 
Reuben Angier, 
Joseph S. Bowers. 

David McGregore. 
Levi Turner, 
Ezekiel Fletcher, 
Silas Gleason, 
Joseph Gleason. 
Enoch Stevens. 



Lot No. 6, John Byam, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 7, J. Gilmore, 
Uninhabittd. 



800 



APPENDIX. 



Lots Nos. 8 and 9, 

For First Minister. 

West part, Samuel Slader, 
Warren Corning, 
Flagg Moore, 
Joseph F. Moore, 
Daniel Nye. 

East part, Lasel Silsby, 
John Perham, 
Franklin Perhara, 
James M. Davis. 

Lot No. 10, John Hardy, 

]jicut James Campbell, 
*David Campbell, 
Daniel Robinson, Id, 
*Horace Chapman, 
Charles A. Laivton, 
*Benjamin Gregg, 
James Morse, 
Horace Busivell, 
*Lewis Brigham, 
Thomas B. Dachelder, 
*John Pearson, 
]Mrs. Betsey Pearson, 
Oliver Ghapin, 
*Andrew Woodbury, 
James Pearson, 
*John Reed, 
Joseph Bkinchard, 
David Blanchard, 
Tannery, 

Charles B. Cumraings, 
Orlin R. Kemp. 

Lot No. 11, William Robey. 

W^est part, John Archibald, 
Lasel 8ilsby, 
Lieut. James Campbell, 
Amos Campbell, 
Newton Gage, 
William W. Johnson. 

East part, Lasel !>ili^by, 
James Morse, 
Dexter Copeland. 

Lot No. 12, 0. Pierce. 

West part, William Farvvell, 
»Tohn Reed, 
Robert Gilmore, 



David Cummings, 
Ephraim Cummings^ 
Alphciis Chatterton, 
Edivin S. Chatterton. 
East part, Supply Reed, 
David Currier, 
Saw-mill, 
Silas Beckwith, 
Ephraim Howe, 
Cahiii E. Howe. 

Lot No. 13, Samuel King, 

Capt. Jonathan Silsby, 
Dea. Henry Silsby, 
Riifus Hilliard, 
Saiv-miU, 
*James M. Reed, 
Joseph P. Cram. 

Lot No. 14, John Byam, 

Mehuman Stebbins, 
Jonas Keyes, 
Lieut. Oliver Carleton, 
John Gilmore, 
Joshua G. Silsby, 
Truman Silsby, 
Truman M. Silsby, 
George W. Lathrop. 

Lot No. 15, S. Stoddard, 

Abel Humphrey, 
Amos Tngalls, 
Jonathan H. Reed, 

Lot No. IG, 0. Pierce, 

Edmund Blood, 
Amos Ingalls, 
Kimball Smith, 
Horace Howe, 
Mrs. Juditlt Howe. 

Lot No. 17, S. Stoddard, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 18, Jonathan Gilmore, 
Thomas Grear, 
Fielding Keyes, 
John Hanson, 
Isaac Hanson, 
Uninhabited. 



EANGE No. 8, 



Lot No. 1, David McGregore, 
Solomon Gee, 



L'a Beckwith, 
Stephen BecJcivith, 



REGISTER OF HOMESTEADS. 



301 



^Solomon Clisby, 
Abram Moore, 
William Preutice, 
Silas Gleason, 
Jeremiah Barrett, 
Francis Brown. 

Lot No. 2, Samuel Cummings, 
John McKeen. 

Lot No. 3, Samdel Cummings. 

South part, John McKeen, 

John McKeen, Jr., 
Charles C. Mathewson, 
William L. Huntley, 
Willard B. Tinker. 

North part, Samuel McKeen, 2d, 
Sylvester Symonds. 

Lots Nos. 4 and 5, 

Oliver Farwell. 

West part, John Currier, 
Capt. Wright, 
Joseph Woodbury, 
Mrs. Lavina Woodbury. 

East part, Isaac Campbell, 

Isaac Campbell, Jr., 
John H. Clark, 
Joseph Ware. 

Lot No. 6, Jonathan Pierce, 
Dean Carleton, 
John Orcutt, 
John Currier, 
Andrew Cummings, 
Willard M. Perham, 
George W. HiUiard, 
* William Grout, Esq., 
Benjamin Grout, Jr., 
Nathaniel Bixhy. 

Lot No. 7, David Burge, 
Benjamin Grout, 
Col. Ebenezer Grout, 
Ebenezer Grout, Jr., 
Sumner 0. Taylor, 
*Hezediah Smith, 
Frederic Lock, 
Timothy Yeomaos, 
Alfred Abell, 
Loriny Morse. 

Lot No. 8, ScfiooL Lot, 
Uninhabited. 



Lot No. 9, 0. Pierce Atkinson, 
Eli Twichell, 
Galen Allen, 
Perley Allen, 
Winslow Allen. 

Lot No. 10, Reuben Gould, 
JMoses Warren, 
Benjamin Mayo, 
Andrew Grout, 
Frederic Grout, 
Phineas W. Pettingill, 
Sch'l-house, Vist. No. 7. 

Lots Nos. 11 and 12, 

David McGregore, 
William Mitchell, 
Jonathan Mitchell, 
Jonathan T. Jlitchell. 

Lot No. 13, John Parker, 
Thomas Clark, 
Bradley Mitchell, 
Warren Sawyer, 
Fielding Keyes, 
Willard Cram, 
Joh)i Davis, 
Charles J. Davis. 

Lot No. 14, David Burge, 
Supply Reed, 
Sylvester A. Reed, 
liarvey D. Wallace, 
*Tilleston Reed, 
Jonas Boynton, 
Stephen Quiraby, 
Ephraim Howe. 
! 

i Lot No. 15, John Byam, 

I John Robb, 

i John Robli, Jr., 

I Jlrs. Philenda JRobb, 

\ Daniel Gay, 

j Lot No. 16, David McFee, 

i Robert McLure, 

I John McLure. 

j Robert McLure, Jr., 

i Sch'l house, Dist. No 5. 

I Lot No. 17, M. Thornton, 

j Capt. James McLure, 



APPENDIX. 



Thomas McLure, 
Alvin Davidson, 
Joshua H, Howe. 



Lot No. 18, Robert Fletcher, 

Dea. Robert McLure, 
Samuel McLure. 



RANGE No. 9. 



Lot No. 1, LUTTEREDGE, 

Ezra George, 
Charles W. George, 
Dean C George. 

Lot No. 2, Moses Estabrook, 
Luther Gates. 
Isaac Gates, Jr., 
James Gowing, 
David Gregg, 
Elisha Comstock, 
Nathaniel G. Smith. ' 
Isaac Gates, Sen., 
Aaron Brown, 
John McKeen, 
Franklin A. Smith, 
Gates'. Hill on this lot. 

Moses Estabkook. 
Elijah Clark, 
Ira Beck with, 
Duren Tinker, 
Benjamin Alexander, 
Roswell George, 
William F. Davis, 
Francis Ellenwood. 
ScKl-honse, Dis.No. 10. 
Jabez Alexander, 
Jehiel Comstock, 
Sylvester Symonds, 
George W. Greeley. 

, B. Butterfield, 
Andrew Woodbury, 
Capt. Robert Clark, 
Robert Clark, Jr., 
Thomas Clark, 
Winchester Wyman, 
Franklin Perham, 
*Saw mill, 
John H. Clark, 
Georye F. Nichols, 
*Henry Smith, 
Walker Gassett. 



Lot No. 5, 



J. Blancuard, 
George Clark, 
Hezekiah Copeland, 



Lemuel Morse, 
Joseph P. Metcalf, 
George W. Toung. 

Lot No. 6, B. Byam, 

William Woodbury, 
Amos Woodbury, 
Horace Campbell, 
Jonatltan L. McKeen^ 
*Zachariah Woodbury, 
Nathaniel Davidson, 
Alvin Davidson, 
Nathaniel Merrill, 
Nathaniel Merrill, Jr., 
*Alvah Cummings, 
Sch'l-house, Dist. No. 8. 

Lot No. 7, J. Farmer, 
John Collins, 
William Orcutt, 
Nathaniel Merrill, 
Phineas Pettingill. 

Lot No. 8, B. Wentworth, 
Uninhabited. 

Lot No. 9, S. Powers, 

Daniel Campbell, 
Thomas M. Dickey, 
Warren Thayer. 

Lot No. 10, Samuel King, 
Samuel Slader, 
Edward Slader, Esq., 
Zia Peck, 
Winslow C. Neal, 
Robert Kennedy. 

Lot No. 11, B. Byam, 

Samuel Silsby, 
Sprague West, 
William Orcutt, 
Bela Mathews, 
Lemuel Gilson, 
Ephraim Hull, 
Jesse H. Hill, 
Cyrus Wheeler, 
Uninhabited. 



REGISTER OF HOMESTEADS. 



303 



Lot No. 12, J. Pierce. 

Nathaniel Sawyer, 
Jonathan Mitchell, 
Uninhabited. 

Lot No, 13, J. McGregore, 

Nathaniel Whitney, 
Amos Atwood, 
Joseph Atwood, 
Amos Atwood, Jr., 
Cyrus Atwood, 
Joseph P. Cram, 
Simeon Stevens, 
Sylvester Symonds, 
Orna B. Burnham, 
Henry F. Burnham. 

Lot No. 14, Samuel Barron, 
Isaac Foster, 
Dr. William Oliver. 

Lot No. 15, Ltjtteridge. 

North part, Dean Carleton, 
James Mitchell, 
Bradley Mitchell, 
Samuel Clark, 
Alvin Davidson. 

South part, John Bruce, 
Ezra Cram, 



Thomas iMitchell, 
Joshua Buzzell, 
Henry Goold, 
George W. Neal, 
Albert G. Hubbard. 

Lot No. IG, Daniel McFee, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 17, Eben. Bridge, 
Samuel Houston, 
Alexander Houston, 
Adam Wallace, 
Thomas McLure, 
*E,obert McLure, 
Hugh McKeen, 
Piufus L. McLure, 
Robert McLure, 
*VVilliara McLure, 
Amos F. Buswell. 



Lot No. 18, 



Eben. Bridge, 
Nathaniel Silsby, 
Eli Twitchell, 
John P. Wallace, 
Joseph Finlay, 
Henry M. Silsby, 
Thomas Smith. 



Lot No. 1, 



— Lutteridqe, 
Ezekiel Clisby, 
Joseph Clisby, 
John Brigham, 
Mrs. Hannah Gates, 
Uninhabited. 



Lot No. 2, M. Thornton, 
Nonresident. 

Lot No. 3, J. Blanchard, 

Daniel Alexander, 
Henry Smith, 
Henry Smith, Jr., 
Uninhabited. 

Lots Nos. 4 and 5, 

David Brown, 
Joseph Hemphill, 
Erastus Hemphill, 
Freeland Hemphill. 



RANGE No. 10. 

Lot No. G', Samuel French, 



Lot No. 7, 



Nathaniel Davidson, 
Phineas Pettingill, 
Phineas W. Pettingill, 
Uninhabited. 

J. Farmer, 
Eetire Trask, 
Non-resident. 



Lot No. 8, G. Jaffrey, 
Nonresident. 

Lot No. 9, B. Wentworth, 
Thomas Wallace, 
Jonathan Mitchell, 
James Dickey, od, 
Perley Allen, 
John S. Symonds. 

Lot No. 10, ]?. Wentworth, 
Non-resident. 



304 



APPENDIX. 



Lot No. 11, T. Ddstin, 
John Clark, 
Uninhabited. 

Lots Nos. 12 and 13, 

J. McGregore, 
Matthew Wallace, Esq., 
Hugh Lull, 
Benjamin Poland, 
Asa Sargent, 
Asa Sargent, Jr., 
Sylvester Symonds, 
Solon Neal, 
George W. Neal. 

Lot No. 14, MosE3 Paeker, 
Jonathan Piei'ce, 
Nathan Murray. 

"West part, Aaron Blanchard, 
Isaac Foster, 
Ira Foster, 
Walter Neal, 
Oliver Davis, 
Thomas J. Davis. 

East part, Joseph Blanchard, 
David Blanchai'd, 
Samuel F. Symonds, 
Solon Neal, 
Levi Davis, 
Sch'lhouse, Dist. No. 6. 

Lot No. 15, Moses Parker, 

RANGE 
Lot No. 1, Moses Parker, 
Eber Miller, 
Asa Whitcomb. 

Lot No. 2, Matthew Thornton, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 3, James Nevins, 
Thomas Gates, 
Abel Bruce, 
Ezra Miner, 
Aaron Brown, 
Jacob Foster, 
Wilder Foster, 
*Israel Foster, 
Timothy Foster, 
Uninhabited. 

Lot No. 4, 



Daniel Coffin, 
Issachar Mayo, Jr. , 
Samuel Neal, 
Ambrose H. Piper, 
Joab N. Davis. 

Lot No. 16, Samuel Wentwortu, 
Coffin Hill, 
Non-resident. 

Lots Nos. 17 and 18, 

George Gaffrey. 

West part, Jesse Cram, 
Samuel Gove, 
Squire Gove, 
Robert McLure, 
William McLure, 
J. Philbrick Cram, 
David W. Thompson. 

Middle part, Hilliard Cram, 
Amos Harding, 
Amos Harding, Jr., 
Samuel Harding. 

East part, Joseph Kinnison, 
Eliphalet Bailey, 
Jacob Cram, 
John Mills Gove, 
William McLure, 
Harvey Liscomb, 
Elijah Cram, 
George F. Youngman. 



No. 11 



Permenter Honey, 



Pelatiah Clark, 
Elisha Kempton, 
Elisha M. Kempton, 
*Timothy Bruce, 

Hildrith, 

Nathan George, 
William Moore, 
Horace Richardson. 



Lot No. 5, S. Stoddard, 
Enoch George, 
John W. Moore. 

Lot No. 6, Samuel French, 
Phineas Spaulding, 
Benjamin Newton, 
Edward Bodgers, 
Jason H. Boynton, 
Saw-mill. 



IIEGISTER OF HOMESTEADS. 



305 



Lot No. 7, Eben. Gould, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 8, Church Lot, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 9, Robert Adams, 
Moses Davis, 
Dennis Potter, 
Zenas Wood, 
Alvah W. Barney, 
Levi Mitchell, 
James M. Reed, 
■*Levi Barney, 
Ralpb Keyes, 
William Huntley. 

Lot No. 10, Col. Greeley, 
Artimas Newton, 
William Shedd,- 
Tbeophilus Adams, 
Nathaniel Howe, 
Rufus L. Howe, 
James H. Dyer. 

Lot No. 11, Col. Greeley, 
Asa Howe, 
Moses Howe. 

Lot No. 12, John Hardy, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 13, W. Clagget, 
Non-resident. 



Lot No. 14, AV. Clagget, 

George Kinnison, 
David Smith, 
Sargent Symonds, 
John S. Symonds, 
Samuel F. Symouds, 
John F. Symonds, 
Mrs. Mary Symonds. 

North part, Dean Carleton, Jr., 
Issachar Mayo, 
Elisha Mayo, 
Daniel Gay. 
Ambro!5e H. Piper, 
John Biiswell. 

Lot No. 15, W. Clagget, 

Josiah Raymond, 
John Raymond, 
Owen Tracy, 
Joel Tracy, 
Joel B. Tracy. 

Lot No. 16, Samuel Wentworth, 
Capt. Eusebius SiLsby, 
Jonathan Gove, Esq., 
Jonathan S. Gove, 
Mrs. Eunice Richardson . 

Lots Nos. 17 and 18, 

School Lots, 
John Gragg, 
John Gragg, Jr., 
Uninhabited, 
Cold Pond. 



RANGE No 

Lot No. 1, Thomas Davis, 

Coolidge Butterfield, 
William Humphrey, 
James Leslie, 
Henry Smith, 
Samuel Griffin, 
Uninhabited. 

Lot No. 2, Uninhabited, 
Non-resident. 

Lots Nos. 3 and 4, 

R. Fletcher, 
Non-resident. 



12. 



Lot No. 5, 



T. Atkinson, 
Joab Newton, 
39 



Lot No. 6, 



Plummer Fox, 
David Morrill, 
Levi Farr, 
Henry Smith, 
Aaron Brown, 
James H. Brown, 
*Joel Fletcher, 
Benjamin Fletchei-, 
Benjamin Fletcher. Jr., 
John Fletcher, 
Leonard Smith, 
Joseph Ware, 
J. Leavitt McKeen, 
Joseph P. Metealf. 

CoL. Atkinson, 
Non-residait. 



306 



APPENDIX. 



Lot No. 7, — 



Asa Howe, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 8, Society, 

Non-resident. 

Lot No. 9, Danikl McFee, 
Mazalda Keyes, 
Adna Keyes, 
William Dana. 

Lot No. 10, P. Levees, 

Moores Keyes, 
Jonas Keyes, 
Ambrose Alexander, 
Simon Graves, 
Jonas Spaulding, 
Albert E. Spaulding, 
James H. Dyer, 
Rodney Buss, 
Saio-mill, 
Planing -mill. 
Turning-mill, 
Schl-house, Dist. No. 9, 
James M. Reed's saw 

and turning -7nill, 
*John Huntoon, 
Levi Barney, 
Carding-machine, 
John Thornton, 
E. George Howe, 
Willard Cram, 
Francis P. Fletcher, 



Mrs. Philinda Abbott, 
Francis Buss, 
*Thomas Shapley, 
Alvah W. Barney, 
Mrs. Harriet Howe, 
*L. Clisby, 



Benjamin Newton, 
Orra T. Smith, 
*Levi Barney, 
Moores Keyes, 
Theron Hull. 

Lot No. 11, P. Levees, 

Jonathan Mitchell, 
Abel Bailey, 
William L. Mitchell, 
Abram M. Mitchell. 

Lots Nos. 12, 13 and 14, 
P. Levees, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 15, William Syms, 
Non-resident. 

Lot No. 16, William Syms, 
Augustus Silsby, 
Moses Barnard, 
Squire P. Barnard, 
*Samuel Jones, 
Simon Graves, 
John Davis, 
Oliver Davis, 
Samuel Davis. 

Lot No. 17, William Syms, 
John Nowland, 
Hugh Lull, 
William Graves, 
Henry Graves, 
John Graves, 
Daniel Graves, 
Mrs. Polly Graves. 

Lot No. 18, Society, 

Cold Pond, 
Non-resident. 



ERRATA. 

Page 71. — Twenty -first line from the bottom, for place read plan; sixth line from 
the bottom, for thither read hither. 

Page 72. — Twelfth line from the bottom, for dissecting read directing. 
Page 122.— Fifth line from the top, for 1866 read 1766. 







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